Rabbana La Tuzigh Quloobana — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning

رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا وَهَبْ لَنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْوَهَّابُ

Transliteration:

Rabbana la tuzigh quloobana ba‘da idh hadaytana wa hab lana min ladunka rahmah innaka anta al-Wahhab

Translation:

“Our Lord, do not let our hearts deviate after You have guided us, and grant us mercy from Yourself. Indeed, You are the Bestower.”

This supplication from Surah Aal-Imran (3:8) reflects a believer’s fear of losing the guidance Allah has already given. When we say “la tuzigh quloobana,” we’re asking Allah not to let our hearts slip into heedlessness, doubts, or spiritual weakness. The phrase “wahab lana min ladunka rahmah” seeks a mercy that comes purely from Allah’s generosity, affirming that steadfastness in faith is a gift from Al-Wahhab alone.

Key Meaning Points:

1. “La ”tuzigh”—asking Allah to prevent our hearts from drifting after guidance.
2. “Quloobana”—the spiritual center that can incline toward truth or misguidance.
3. “Fear of deviation“ after receiving hidayah—a sign of humility and awareness.
4. “Wahab ”lana”—seeking a gift of mercy that is unearned and purely divine.
5. Invocation of Al-Wahhab—acknowledging that firmness in faith comes only from His grace.

This supplication is recited whenever a believer feels spiritually vulnerable, afraid of drifting from guidance, or struggling with inner doubts. Many people include it in their personal du’a after salah or during reflective moments. Since it is a Qur’anic verse, scholars permit reciting it within daily morning and evening adhkar as part of seeking protection and steadfastness.

Key Timing Points:

1. No fixed timing — not tied to any particular hour or prayer by authentic hadith.
2. Anytime dhikr — recitable throughout the day during moments of spiritual need.
3. After salah — often included in personal supplications after obligatory prayers.
4. Morning & evening adhkar — valid because it is a Qur’anic verse seeking protection.
5. During emotional or spiritual weakness — when fearing misguidance or inner instability.

This Qur’anic supplication reminds believers that the heart can shift between faith and trial, and only Allah can keep it steady. By asking Allah not to let our hearts deviate, we admit our vulnerability and rely on His guidance alone. The dua cultivates sincerity, humility, and reliance on Allah, ending with the name Al-Wahhab to affirm that steadfastness is a divine gift rather than a personal achievement.

Spiritual Benefits:

1. Acknowledges human vulnerability — the heart naturally wavers between iman and fitnah.
2. Strengthens tawakkul — reminding believers that stability in faith depends on Allah.
3. Encourages ikhlas — sincerity in turning to Allah for spiritual protection.
4. Builds khushu‘ — humility in recognizing that guidance is not self-earned.
5. Affirms Al-Wahhab’s role — teaching that inner strength and guidance are gifts from Allah’s mercy.

The Qur’an teaches that the qalb can shift quickly between strength and weakness, especially when confronted with fitan (trials), shubuhaat (doubts), and ghaflah (heedlessness). Many verses show that staying on the sirat al-mustaqeem requires constant hidayah from Allah and sincere tawakkul. These themes mirror the essence of this dua, reinforcing that istiqamah (steadfastness) is a mercy Allah grants—not something one can secure independently.

Related Themes:

1. The heart is changeable — the Qur’an describes the qalb as something that can incline toward truth or misguidance.
2. Guidance is ongoing — remaining on the sirat al-mustaqeem requires continuous divine support.
3. Trials and doubts — fitan and shubuhaat can weaken a believer’s heart without Allah’s protection.
4. Heedlessness — ghaflah is a recurring Qur’anic warning about spiritual drift.
5. Steadfastness is a mercy — istiqamah is depicted as a blessing granted by Allah, not self-guaranteed.