رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا وَهَبْ لَنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلْوَهَّابُ 8
Translations
[Who say], "Our Lord, let not our hearts deviate after You have guided us and grant us from Yourself mercy. Indeed, You are the Bestower.
Transliteration
Rabbana la tuzigh qulubana ba'da idh hadaytana wa hab lana min ladunka rahmatan innaka anta al-wahhab
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah represents a supplication of the believers asking Allah not to cause their hearts to deviate after He has guided them, and to grant them mercy from His presence. Ibn Kathir explains that this du'a reflects the believers' awareness of the fragility of the heart and their complete dependence on Allah for steadfastness (istiqamah), while acknowledging that Allah alone is the Supreme Giver (al-Wahhab). Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that this verse teaches Muslims to continuously seek Allah's protection from spiritual misguidance, as even guidance can be withdrawn if one becomes heedless.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Ali 'Imran's discussion of faith, belief, and the qualities of the God-conscious (al-muttaqun). It follows the description of those who believe in the unseen and establish prayer, representing the supplication of believers who have recognized Allah's guidance and now seek steadfastness. The surah addresses the People of the Book and emphasizes the importance of firm faith during the Medinan period when the Muslim community faced various challenges.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The heart is between two of the Fingers of the Most Merciful; He turns it as He wishes' (Sahih Muslim 2654). Additionally, the Prophet frequently made du'a: 'O Changer of hearts, keep my heart firm upon Your religion' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3522), which directly relates to this ayah's concern about heart deviation.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that guidance is a continuous blessing requiring constant supplication and mindfulness, rather than a one-time achievement; we must regularly seek Allah's help in maintaining our faith and protecting our hearts from deviation. It reminds us that reliance on Allah's mercy and recognition of His boundless generosity is essential for spiritual perseverance in modern life, where distractions and temptations constantly challenge our commitment.
Related Ayahs
فَإِنْ حَآجُّوكَ فَقُلْ أَسْلَمْتُ وَجْهِىَ لِلَّهِ وَمَنِ ٱتَّبَعَنِ ۗ وَقُل لِّلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلْأُمِّيِّـۧنَ ءَأَسْلَمْتُمْ ۚ فَإِنْ أَسْلَمُوا۟ فَقَدِ ٱهْتَدَوا۟ ۖ وَّإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْبَلَـٰغُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ بَصِيرٌۢ بِٱلْعِبَادِ
So if they argue with you, say, "I have submitted myself to Allāh [in Islām], and [so have] those who follow me." And say to those who were given the Scripture and [to] the unlearned, "Have you submitted yourselves?" And if they submit [in Islām], they are rightly guided; but if they turn away - then upon you is only the [duty of] notification. And Allāh is Seeing of [His] servants.
۞ كُلُّ ٱلطَّعَامِ كَانَ حِلًّا لِّبَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ إِلَّا مَا حَرَّمَ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلُ عَلَىٰ نَفْسِهِۦ مِن قَبْلِ أَن تُنَزَّلَ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةُ ۗ قُلْ فَأْتُوا۟ بِٱلتَّوْرَىٰةِ فَٱتْلُوهَآ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ
All food was lawful to the Children of Israel except what Israel [i.e., Jacob] had made unlawful to himself before the Torah was revealed. Say, [O Muḥammad], "So bring the Torah and recite it, if you should be truthful."
إِنَّ ٱلدِّينَ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلْإِسْلَـٰمُ ۗ وَمَا ٱخْتَلَفَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ إِلَّا مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا جَآءَهُمُ ٱلْعِلْمُ بَغْيًۢا بَيْنَهُمْ ۗ وَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَرِيعُ ٱلْحِسَابِ
Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allāh is Islām. And those who were given the Scripture did not differ except after knowledge had come to them - out of jealous animosity between themselves. And whoever disbelieves in the verses of Allāh, then indeed, Allāh is swift in [taking] account.
وَلَا تَحْسَبَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ قُتِلُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ أَمْوَٰتًۢا ۚ بَلْ أَحْيَآءٌ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ يُرْزَقُونَ
And never think of those who have been killed in the cause of Allāh as dead. Rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision,