Hearts turn, and the Prophet ﷺ often asked Allah (SWT) to keep his heart firm upon His religion. These du'as ask the Turner of hearts for steadiness, obedience, and the beauty of faith.
Ya Muqalliba-l-qulub, thabbit qalbi 'ala dinik.
“O Changer of hearts, make my heart firm upon Your religion.”
A frequent supplication of the Prophet ﷺ asking Allah (SWT) to keep the heart steady upon faith despite how quickly hearts can change.
Rabbi-j'alni muqima-s-salah, wa min dhurriyyati. Rabbana wa taqabbal du'a'.
“My Lord, make me an establisher of prayer, and from my descendants. Our Lord, and accept my supplication.”
Ibrahim (AS), decades into his mission, still asking for prayer to be established in his line. The quiet prayer every parent should have on their lips.
Rabbana la tuzigh qulubana ba'da idh hadaytana, wa hab lana min ladunka rahmah, innaka anta-l-Wahhab.
“Our Lord, let not our hearts deviate after You have guided us, and grant us from Yourself mercy. Indeed, You are the Bestower.”
A du'a against the worst kind of loss: losing iman after you've tasted it. Say it when you feel your heart drifting, or when you fear it might.
Rabbana atmim lana nurana wa-ghfir lana, innaka 'ala kulli shay'in qadir.
“Our Lord, perfect for us our light and forgive us. Indeed, You are over all things competent.”
A prayer for complete light and forgiveness on the Day believers will need both. It asks Allah (SWT) to carry faith to its good completion, not merely to give a promising beginning.
Rabbana-ghfir lana wa li-ikhwanina-lladhina sabaquna bi-l-iman, wa la taj'al fi qulubina ghillan li-lladhina amanu, Rabbana innaka Ra'ufun Rahim.
“Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith and put not in our hearts resentment toward those who have believed. Our Lord, indeed You are Kind and Merciful.”
The Quran describes the believers who came after the first generations as praying in these words for those who went before them in faith.
Ihdina-s-sirata-l-mustaqim, sirata-lladhina an'amta 'alayhim, ghayri-l-maghdubi 'alayhim wa la-d-dallin.
“Guide us to the straight path, the path of those upon whom You have bestowed favour, not of those who have earned Your anger, nor of those who are astray.”
The request at the heart of al-Fatihah, which follows praise of Allah (SWT) and the pledge to worship Him alone and seek help from Him alone.
Rabbana wa-j'alna muslimayni laka wa min dhurriyyatina ummatan muslimatan lak, wa arina manasikana wa tub 'alayna, innaka anta-t-Tawwabu-r-Rahim.
“Our Lord, make us submit to You, and make from our descendants a nation that submits to You. Show us our rites of worship and accept our repentance. Indeed, You are the Accepting of Repentance, the Merciful.”
Ibrahim (AS) and Isma'il (AS) continued their du'a with these words while building the House.
Sami'na wa ata'na, ghufranaka Rabbana wa ilayka-l-masir.
“We hear and we obey. We seek Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the final return.”
In the closing verses of al-Baqarah, the Messenger ﷺ and the believers say this after affirming faith in Allah (SWT), His angels, His books and His messengers.
Rabbana innana amanna fa-ghfir lana dhunubana wa qina 'adhaba-n-nar.
“Our Lord, we have believed, so forgive us our sins and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.”
Allah (SWT) describes the God-fearing, for whom gardens with their Lord are prepared, as those who say this.
Rabbana amanna bima anzalta wa-ttaba'na-r-rasula fa-ktubna ma'a-sh-shahidin.
“Our Lord, we have believed in what You revealed and have followed the messenger, so register us among the witnesses.”
The disciples of 'Isa (AS) declared themselves helpers of Allah (SWT) and then prayed this.
Rabbana ma khalaqta hadha batilan, subhanaka fa-qina 'adhaba-n-nar. Rabbana innaka man tudkhili-n-nara fa-qad akhzaytah, wa ma li-dh-dhalimina min ansar. Rabbana innana sami'na munadiyan yunadi li-l-imani an aminu bi-Rabbikum fa-amanna. Rabbana fa-ghfir lana dhunubana wa kaffir 'anna sayyi'atina wa tawaffana ma'a-l-abrar. Rabbana wa atina ma wa'adtana 'ala rusulika wa la tukhzina yawma-l-qiyamah, innaka la tukhlifu-l-mi'ad.
“Our Lord, You did not create this without purpose. Exalted are You, so protect us from the punishment of the Fire. Our Lord, whoever You admit to the Fire, You have disgraced him, and the wrongdoers will have no helpers. Our Lord, we have heard a caller calling to faith, saying, 'Believe in your Lord,' and we have believed. Our Lord, so forgive us our sins, remove from us our misdeeds, and cause us to die among the righteous. Our Lord, grant us what You promised us through Your messengers and do not disgrace us on the Day of Resurrection. Indeed, You do not fail in Your promise.”
Those who remember Allah (SWT) standing, sitting and lying down and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth say this, and in the next verse their Lord answers them.
Rabbana amanna fa-ktubna ma'a-sh-shahidin.
“Our Lord, we have believed, so register us among the witnesses.”
Said by people whose eyes overflowed with tears when they heard what was revealed to the Messenger and recognised the truth in it.
Rabbana la taj'alna ma'a-l-qawmi-dh-dhalimin.
“Our Lord, do not place us with the wrongdoing people.”
The people on the heights between Paradise and the Fire say this when their eyes are turned toward the people of the Fire.
Rabbana afrigh 'alayna sabran wa tawaffana muslimin.
“Our Lord, pour upon us patience and let us die as Muslims.”
Pharaoh's magicians said this after they believed in the Lord of Musa (AS) and Harun (AS) and Pharaoh threatened them with cruel punishment.
Subhanaka tubtu ilayka wa ana awwalu-l-mu'minin.
“Exalted are You. I have turned to You in repentance, and I am the first of the believers.”
Musa (AS) said this when he recovered after his Lord manifested Himself to the mountain and levelled it.
Rabbi-s-sijnu ahabbu ilayya mimma yad'unani ilayh, wa illa tasrif 'anni kaydahunna asbu ilayhinna wa akun mina-l-jahilin.
“My Lord, prison is dearer to me than what they invite me to. And if You do not turn their scheme away from me, I might incline toward them and be among the ignorant.”
Yusuf (AS) said this when the women of the city pressed him to sin, and his Lord answered him and turned their scheme away.
Rabbi qad ataytani mina-l-mulki wa 'allamtani min ta'wili-l-ahadith, Fatira-s-samawati wa-l-ard, anta waliyyi fi-d-dunya wa-l-akhirah, tawaffani musliman wa alhiqni bi-s-salihin.
“My Lord, You have given me a share of sovereignty and taught me the interpretation of dreams. Creator of the heavens and the earth, You are my Protector in this world and the Hereafter. Let me die a Muslim and join me with the righteous.”
Yusuf (AS) prayed this after his family was reunited with him and his childhood dream came true.
Rabbi-j'al hadha-l-balada aminan wa-jnubni wa baniyya an na'buda-l-asnam.
“My Lord, make this city secure, and keep me and my children away from worshipping idols.”
The opening of the long du'a of Ibrahim (AS) for Makkah and his descendants in Surah Ibrahim (AS).
Rabbi imma turiyanni ma yu'adun, Rabbi fa-la taj'alni fi-l-qawmi-dh-dhalimin.
“My Lord, if You should show me what they are promised, then, my Lord, do not place me among the wrongdoing people.”
Allah (SWT) teaches the Prophet ﷺ to say this about the punishment promised to those who deny.
Rabbana amanna fa-ghfir lana wa-rhamna wa anta khayru-r-rahimin.
“Our Lord, we have believed, so forgive us and have mercy on us, and You are the best of the merciful.”
On the Day of Judgement, Allah (SWT) recalls a group of His servants who used to say this while others mocked them.
Rabbi hab li hukman wa alhiqni bi-s-salihin, wa-j'al li lisana sidqin fi-l-akhirin, wa-j'alni min warathati jannati-n-na'im.
“My Lord, grant me authority and join me with the righteous. Grant me an honourable mention among later generations, and make me one of the inheritors of the Garden of Bliss.”
Ibrahim (AS) prayed this after declaring to his father and his people that he worshipped only the Lord of the worlds.
Wa la tukhzini yawma yub'athun, yawma la yanfa'u malun wa la banun, illa man ata-llaha bi-qalbin salim.
“And do not disgrace me on the Day they are resurrected, the Day when neither wealth nor children will benefit anyone, except one who comes to Allah with a sound heart.”
The closing part of the du'a of Ibrahim (AS), asking to be spared disgrace on the Day of Resurrection.
Rabbana 'alayka tawakkalna wa ilayka anabna wa ilayka-l-masir. Rabbana la taj'alna fitnatan li-lladhina kafaru wa-ghfir lana Rabbana, innaka anta-l-'Azizu-l-Hakim.
“Our Lord, upon You we have relied, to You we have turned, and to You is the final return. Our Lord, do not make us a trial for those who disbelieve, and forgive us, our Lord. Indeed, You are the Exalted in Might, the Wise.”
Allah (SWT) holds up Ibrahim (AS) and those with him as an excellent example, and this was their du'a after they separated from their people's idol worship.
Allahumma a'inni 'ala dhikrika, wa shukrika, wa husni 'ibadatik.
“O Allah, help me remember You, thank You, and worship You in the best manner.”
The Prophet ﷺ told Mu'adh to never leave this after every salah, 'I love you, O Mu'adh; do not forget to say…'
Allahumma musarrifa-l-qulub, sarrif qulubana 'ala ta'atik.
“O Allah, Turner of hearts, turn our hearts to obedience to You.”
The Prophet ﷺ said that the hearts of all the children of Adam (AS) are between two of the fingers of the Most Merciful, like a single heart which He turns as He wills. Then he made this du'a.
Allahumma bi-'ilmika-l-ghayba wa qudratika 'ala-l-khalqi ahyini ma 'alimta-l-hayata khayran li, wa tawaffani idha 'alimta-l-wafata khayran li. Allahumma wa as'aluka khashyataka fi-l-ghaybi wa-sh-shahadah, wa as'aluka kalimata-l-haqqi fi-r-rida wa-l-ghadab, wa as'aluka-l-qasda fi-l-faqri wa-l-ghina, wa as'aluka na'iman la yanfad, wa as'aluka qurrata 'aynin la tanqati', wa as'aluka-r-rida'a ba'da-l-qada', wa as'aluka barda-l-'ayshi ba'da-l-mawt, wa as'aluka ladhdhata-n-nadhari ila wajhik, wa-sh-shawqa ila liqa'ik, fi ghayri darra'a mudirrah, wa la fitnatin mudillah. Allahumma zayyinna bi-zinati-l-iman, waj'alna hudatan muhtadin.
“O Allah, by Your knowledge of the unseen and Your power over creation, keep me alive as long as You know life is better for me, and take me when You know death is better for me. O Allah, I ask You for fear of You in private and in public. I ask You for the word of truth in contentment and in anger. I ask You for moderation in poverty and in wealth. I ask You for a bliss that never runs out and a delight of the eye that never ceases. I ask You for contentment after Your decree, and for a cool, pleasant life after death. I ask You for the joy of looking upon Your Face and a longing to meet You, without harmful adversity or a misleading trial. O Allah, adorn us with the beauty of faith, and make us guides who are rightly guided.”
'Ammar ibn Yasir led a short prayer and explained that he had made du'a in it with words he heard from the Prophet ﷺ. Among them: truthful speech whether pleased or angry, contentment with Allah's decree, and faith that adorns the believer.
Amantu billahi wa rusulih
“I believe in Allah and His messengers.”
The Prophet ﷺ taught this for the one troubled by whispers about faith.
Huwa-l-Awwalu wa-l-Akhiru wa-dh-Dhahiru wa-l-Batin, wa huwa bi-kulli shay'in 'Alim
“He is the First and the Last, the Most High and the Most Near, and He has full knowledge of all things.”
Ibn 'Abbas advised reciting this verse when a doubt finds its way into the heart.
Allahumma inni a'udhu bika an ushrika bika wa ana a'lam, wa astaghfiruka lima la a'lam.
“O Allah, I seek refuge in You from associating anything with You knowingly, and I ask Your forgiveness for what I do unknowingly.”
Taught by the Prophet ﷺ to Abu Bakr, who was told that shirk creeps in more quietly than the footsteps of an ant.