Ayatul Kursi

Ayat al-Kursi displays an internal symmetry comprising concentric looping verses surrounding a pivotal chiasm 'x' of the type A B C D X D' C' B' A'. The reciter imagines him or herself walking through Ayat al-Kursi until reaching the center, seeing what is in front and what is behind, and finds they represent a perfect reflection of each other.[citation needed] The central chiasm is represented by "yaʿlamu mā bayna ʾaydīhim wa-mā ḫalfahum meaning "He knows what is before them and what is behind them". This is flanked symmetrically outwards so that A corresponds to A', B corresponds to B', and so forth. For example, line 3 "he is the lord of the heavens and the earth" corresponds to line 7 "his throne extends over heavens and earth".

There is a slight difference of opinion as to whether to follow Ayat al-Kursi with verses 256 and 257 though this is not usually performed.

Surat al-Baqara itself provides a broader internal concentricity which approximates Ayat al-Kursi to verses of 29-31 relating the glorification of the angels and God's eternal will to bestow his names upon Adam.