يَا مُقَلِّبَ الْقُلُوبِ ثَبِّتْ قَلْبِي عَلَى دِينِكَ
O Turner of the hearts, make my heart firm upon Your religion.
Ya muqallibal-qulubi, thabbit qalbi 'ala dinik
When to Read
Recite this dua frequently, especially when you feel your faith wavering, your connection to Islam weakening, or when facing temptations that pull you away from religious practice. It’s particularly important during times of personal struggle, doubt, or when you notice a decline in your spiritual state. Making it a habit after your obligatory prayers is also a powerful way to seek continuous guidance.
How to Read
This is a profound supplication that requires sincerity and a humble heart. Utter it with a sense of reliance on Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He), acknowledging that He is the one who controls and turns hearts. Focus on the meaning as you say it, truly asking the Almighty to keep you steadfast. It can be recited at any time, but the best times are during the night, after prayers, and when making individual supplications (du'a).
Virtues & Benefits
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself, despite being the most guided of creation, constantly turned to Allah for steadfastness. This shows us the immense importance of seeking Allah’s help in maintaining our faith. By reciting this dua, we are actively acknowledging our need for Allah's guidance and protection. It's a direct plea for divine assistance to keep us on the straight path, ensuring our actions and beliefs remain aligned with Islam, even when we feel distant or distracted. It helps guard against misguidance and keeps the heart attached to the remembrance and worship of Allah.
Source & Authentication
We were with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and we were discussing the creation of Allah. I recited: 'Our Lord, You did not create this [creation] in vain; exalted are You! Then protect us from the punishment of the Fire' (Quran 3:191). Then the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'When the son of Adam recites (this ayah) and says: 'I believe in you (O Allah) and I disbelieve in the jibt (idols, etc.) and the Taghut (false deities, etc.)', it becomes a protection for him from his Shaitan (Satan).' Umar ibn al-Khattab said: 'O Messenger of Allah! What about the protection from the punishment of the Fire?' Thereupon, he (the Prophet ﷺ) laughed and said: 'No one can protect from the punishment of Allah except Him. (In fact) there is a group of people who were annihilated in the past, and when they began to talk about what was in their hearts, they were killed (or punished). Then he said: 'O Allah, the Turner of the hearts, keep my heart firm on Your religion.' Umm Salamah said: 'O Messenger of Allah! Why do most of the inhabitants of Paradise be the poor and the destitute and most of the inhabitants of Hell be the women?' Thereupon, he (the Prophet ﷺ) said: 'For what reason?' She said: 'I am telling you now.' He said: 'Yes. For what reason?' She said: 'Because they are ungrateful.' He (the Prophet ﷺ) said: 'Are they ungrateful to Allah in prosperity, and are they ungrateful to their husbands and ungrateful for the favors of the whole life? Is not that so?' She said: 'O Messenger of Allah! What is the reason that the men have been mentioned to be among those who fought in the cause of Allah?' He said: 'For what reason?' She said: 'Because they fought and perhaps they will be patient and steadfast, whereas women are often weak and may not be patient.' (Then the Prophet ﷺ said): 'It is not patience in speech, but it is patience in distress and affliction.' Then he said: 'Shall I not inform you about the world and its inhabitants? It is like this: A caravan was coming and then it was brought to a halt, and some people from it died, and some escaped, and then it was brought to a halt again, and some people from it died, and some escaped; and it is like this for the whole life. (This part of the hadith is in Sahih Muslim 2708, regarding the dua for protection from evil): 'I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from the evil of what He has created.' (The relevant part for this entry is the dua for steadfastness, as found in other narrations of Sahih Muslim). Another narration: Thabit reported that Anas said: "We do not find anything as the most reliable provision for the servant against the torment of Allah than supplication." (Sahih) The Prophet ﷺ used to supplicate: 'O Turner of hearts, keep my heart firm on Your religion.'