Difference between al-Kursi and al-`Arsh

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

In the saying of Allaah سبحانه وتعالى:

﴿وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمَـوَاتِ وَالاٌّرْضَ﴾

{His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth}

[Surah al-Baqarah (2): 255]

Ibn `Abbaas رضي الله عنهما said: “al-Kursi is the footstool, and no one is able to give due consideration to (Allaah's) Throne.”* [Tafseer Ibn Katheer]

*It was authenticated by Shaikh al-Albaanee in “Sharh al-Tahaawee” (279) and also in “al-Mukhtasar al-`Uloo” (45) as “Mawqoof” (i.e. with the chain ending with the Companion).

What it means is that the Kursi, with its vastness which extends over the heavens and the earth, is only the footstool of Allaah سبحانه وتعالى. So how can we imagine His`Arsh (throne)?

Subhaan-Allaahi wa bi Hamdih.