The concept of “guidance” in verse 8 of Surah Al ‘Imran is related to the Ahl al-Bayt through the Wilayah of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him). According to some narrations, true guidance and direction after the Final Prophet is made possible through adherence to the Wilayah of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) and the pure Imams.
Verse 8 of Surah Al ‘Imran
رَبَّنا لاتُزِغْ قُلُوبَنا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنا وَ هَبْ لَنا مِنْ لَدُنْكَ رَحْمَةً إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْوَهّابُ
“Our Lord, do not let our hearts deviate after You have guided us, and grant us from Yourself mercy. Indeed, You are the Bestower.”
According to a narration from Imam al-Hadi (peace be upon him) in the Al-Ghadir Pilgrimage prayer, this verse recalls the exalted station of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him).
In a passage of the Al-Ghadir Pilgrimage prayer, it is stated:
فَمَا آمَنَ بِمَا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَى نَبِيِّهِ فِيكَ إِلَّا قَلِيلٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ، وَ مَا زَادَهُمْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ إِلَّا خَسَاراً، وَ لَقَدْ أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ فِيكَ هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ مِنْ قَبْلُ وَ هُمْ يَكْرَهُونَ: (رَبَّنا لاتُزِغْ قُلُوبَنا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنا وَ هَبْ لَنا مِنْ لَدُنْكَ رَحْمَةً إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْوَهَّابُ)
“So only a few people believed in what Allah revealed to His Prophet concerning you, and most of them increased only in loss. Indeed, Allah revealed this verse concerning you before, while they disliked it: ‘Our Lord, do not let our hearts deviate after You have guided us, and grant us from Yourself mercy. Indeed, You are the Bestower.'”
