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this verse teaches Muslims to continuously seek Allah's protection from spiritual misguidance, as even guidance can be withdrawn if one becomes heedless.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
إِنَّ مَثَلَ عِيسَىٰ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ ءَادَمَ ۖ خَلَقَهُۥ مِن تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ
Indeed, the example of Jesus to Allāh is like that of Adam. He created him from dust; then He said to him, "Be," and he was.
وَمَا كَانَ لِنَفْسٍ أَن تَمُوتَ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ كِتَـٰبًا مُّؤَجَّلًا ۗ وَمَن يُرِدْ ثَوَابَ ٱلدُّنْيَا نُؤْتِهِۦ مِنْهَا وَمَن يُرِدْ ثَوَابَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ نُؤْتِهِۦ مِنْهَا ۚ وَسَنَجْزِى ٱلشَّـٰكِرِينَ
And it is not [possible] for one to die except by permission of Allāh at a decree determined. And whoever desires the reward of this world - We will give him thereof; and whoever desires the reward of the Hereafter - We will give him thereof. And We will reward the grateful.
هَـٰٓأَنتُمْ أُو۟لَآءِ تُحِبُّونَهُمْ وَلَا يُحِبُّونَكُمْ وَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْكِتَـٰبِ كُلِّهِۦ وَإِذَا لَقُوكُمْ قَالُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا وَإِذَا خَلَوْا۟ عَضُّوا۟ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْأَنَامِلَ مِنَ ٱلْغَيْظِ ۚ قُلْ مُوتُوا۟ بِغَيْظِكُمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ
Here you are loving them but they are not loving you, while you believe in the Scripture - all of it. And when they meet you, they say, "We believe." But when they are alone, they bite their fingertips at you in rage. Say, "Die in your rage. Indeed, Allāh is Knowing of that within the breasts."
إِنَّ أَوَّلَ بَيْتٍ وُضِعَ لِلنَّاسِ لَلَّذِى بِبَكَّةَ مُبَارَكًا وَهُدًى لِّلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
Indeed, the first House [of worship] established for mankind was that at Bakkah [i.e., Makkah] - blessed and a guidance for the worlds.