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this verse teaches Muslims to continuously seek Allah's protection from spiritual misguidance, as even guidance can be withdrawn if one becomes heedless.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
وَإِنَّ مِنْهُمْ لَفَرِيقًا يَلْوُۥنَ أَلْسِنَتَهُم بِٱلْكِتَـٰبِ لِتَحْسَبُوهُ مِنَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ وَمَا هُوَ مِنَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ وَيَقُولُونَ هُوَ مِنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ وَمَا هُوَ مِنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ وَيَقُولُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْكَذِبَ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ
And indeed, there is among them a party who alter the Scripture with their tongues so you may think it is from the Scripture, but it is not from the Scripture. And they say, "This is from Allāh," but it is not from Allāh. And they speak untruth about Allāh while they know.
يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ وَيَأْمُرُونَ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ ٱلْمُنكَرِ وَيُسَـٰرِعُونَ فِى ٱلْخَيْرَٰتِ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ
They believe in Allāh and the Last Day, and they enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and hasten to good deeds. And those are among the righteous.
۞ فَلَمَّآ أَحَسَّ عِيسَىٰ مِنْهُمُ ٱلْكُفْرَ قَالَ مَنْ أَنصَارِىٓ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ ۖ قَالَ ٱلْحَوَارِيُّونَ نَحْنُ أَنصَارُ ٱللَّهِ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَٱشْهَدْ بِأَنَّا مُسْلِمُونَ
But when Jesus felt [persistence in] disbelief from them, he said, "Who are my supporters for [the cause of] Allāh?" The disciples said, "We are supporters for Allāh. We have believed in Allāh and testify that we are Muslims [submitting to Him].
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَمَاتُوا۟ وَهُمْ كُفَّارٌ فَلَن يُقْبَلَ مِنْ أَحَدِهِم مِّلْءُ ٱلْأَرْضِ ذَهَبًا وَلَوِ ٱفْتَدَىٰ بِهِۦٓ ۗ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ وَمَا لَهُم مِّن نَّـٰصِرِينَ
Indeed, those who disbelieve and die while they are disbelievers - never would the [whole] capacity of the earth in gold be accepted from one of them if he would [seek to] ransom himself with it. For those there will be a painful punishment, and they will have no helpers.