7 supplications
Duas for Guidance and a Steadfast Heart
The heart is between two fingers of the Most Merciful, who turns it as He wills (Muslim). This is why the Prophet ﷺ, the most guided of people, asked most often for a heart firm on the religion. These duas protect faith in times of trials and doubts.
For a steadfast heart
يَا مُقَلِّبَ الْقُلُوبِ ثَبِّتْ قَلْبِي عَلَى دِينِكَ
Ya muqallibal-qulub, thabbit qalbi ‘ala dinik.
O Turner of hearts, make my heart firm upon Your religion. The du‘a the Prophet ﷺ made most often.
Source: Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi
For hearts directed to obedience
اللَّهُمَّ مُصَرِّفَ الْقُلُوبِ صَرِّفْ قُلُوبَنَا عَلَى طَاعَتِكَ
Allahumma musarrifal-qulub, sarrif qulubana ‘ala ta‘atik.
O Allah, Director of hearts, direct our hearts to Your obedience.
Source: Sahih Muslim
For guidance and accuracy
اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي وَسَدِّدْنِي
Allahummahdini wa saddidni.
O Allah, guide me and keep me on the right course.
Source: Sahih Muslim
Do not let our hearts deviate
رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا وَهَبْ لَنَا مِنْ لَدُنْكَ رَحْمَةً إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْوَهَّابُ
Rabbana la tuzigh qulubana ba‘da idh hadaytana wa hab lana min ladunka rahmah, innaka antal-wahhab.
Our Lord, do not let our hearts deviate after You have guided us, and grant us mercy from Yourself; You are the Bestower.
Source: Qur’an 3:8
For religion, this world and the next
اللَّهُمَّ أَصْلِحْ لِي دِينِي الَّذِي هُوَ عِصْمَةُ أَمْرِي، وَأَصْلِحْ لِي دُنْيَايَ الَّتِي فِيهَا مَعَاشِي، وَأَصْلِحْ لِي آخِرَتِي الَّتِي فِيهَا مَعَادِي، وَاجْعَلِ الْحَيَاةَ زِيَادَةً لِي فِي كُلِّ خَيْرٍ، وَاجْعَلِ الْمَوْتَ رَاحَةً لِي مِنْ كُلِّ شَرٍّ
Allahumma aslih li dinil-ladhi huwa ‘ismatu amri, wa aslih li dunyayal-lati fiha ma‘ashi, wa aslih li akhiratil-lati fiha ma‘adi, waj‘alil-hayata ziyadatan li fi kulli khayr, waj‘alil-mawta rahatan li min kulli sharr.
O Allah, set right my religion, which is the safeguard of my affairs; set right my world, in which is my living; set right my Hereafter, to which is my return; make life an increase for me in every good, and make death a rest for me from every evil.
Source: Sahih Muslim
Right guidance in our affair
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا مِنْ لَدُنْكَ رَحْمَةً وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا رَشَدًا
Rabbana atina min ladunka rahmatan wa hayyi’ lana min amrina rashada.
Our Lord, grant us mercy from Yourself and prepare for us right guidance in our affair. The dua of the youths of the Cave.
Source: Qur’an 18:10
Guidance, piety, chastity and sufficiency
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْهُدَى وَالتُّقَى وَالْعَفَافَ وَالْغِنَى
Allahumma inni as’alukal-huda wat-tuqa wal-‘afafa wal-ghina.
O Allah, I ask You for guidance, piety, chastity and self-sufficiency.
Source: Sahih Muslim
The du‘a the Prophet ﷺ said most often
Umm Salamah was asked about the du‘a the Prophet ﷺ made most often and said: “Ya muqallibal-qulub, thabbit qalbi ‘ala dinik.” When she asked why, he answered that every heart is between two fingers of the Most Merciful, who keeps it upright or makes it deviate as He wills (at-Tirmidhi). If the best of creation feared for his heart, the believer has more reason to ask.
The Qur’an teaches the people of firm knowledge to say: “Our Lord, do not let our hearts deviate after You have guided us” (3:8). Guidance is not only receiving the truth once, but remaining on it until death.
Means of steadfastness
Besides du‘a, scholars mention: regular recitation and reflection on the Qur’an (25:32), good company, knowledge, remembering death, avoiding places of doubt and temptation, and constancy in small deeds. The du‘a “Allahummahdini wa saddidni” asks both for the right direction and for accuracy in following it, like an archer aiming at a target (Muslim).
Practical tips
- Say “Ya muqallibal-qulub” after every prayer.
- Read a little Qur’an every day with its meaning.
- Choose friends who remind you of Allah.
- Avoid places and content that feed doubts.
- Remember that guidance is a gift to be asked for daily.
Duas for Guidance and a Steadfast Heart: questions and answers
Which du‘a is for steadfastness in faith?
“Ya muqallibal-qulub thabbit qalbi ‘ala dinik” (at-Tirmidhi) and “Rabbana la tuzigh qulubana ba‘da idh hadaytana” (3:8).
Can I ask for guidance for someone else?
Yes. The Prophet ﷺ prayed for the guidance of individuals and tribes, and a Muslim may pray for the guidance of relatives and friends, Muslim or not.