7 Powerful Prayers to Softened a Hardened Heart in Islam

What Is a Prayer to Soften a Heart?

A prayer to soften a heart consists of supplications made to Allah asking for gentleness to be instilled in someone who may possess a harsh nature or find it difficult to understand and accept goodness. These prayers are taught in Islam and serve as a means to seek Allah's help in touching another person's heart.

Why Should We Pray to Soften Hearts?

Human hearts can become hardened due to various factors, such as life's hardships, unfulfilled desires, or even environmental influences. Praying to soften someone's heart is important because, as Muslims, we are taught to spread compassion, gentleness, and kindness. Through these supplications, we hope that Allah grants guidance and a gentle disposition to the person we are praying for.

When and Where Should These Prayers Be Recited?

Supplications to soften someone's heart can be recited at any time, especially when we feel that a particular individual's heart needs softening. They can be read after the obligatory prayers, during blessed times such as the last third of the night, or while in places blessed by Allah, such as the mosque.

Who Can Recite These Prayers?

Anyone who wishes to seek a gentle heart for another person may recite these supplications—whether for a husband, wife, child, friend, or even someone not yet closely known. The key is having a sincere intention and placing one's hope in Allah to open and soften that person's heart.

Here Is a Collection of Powerful Prayers to Soften Someone's Heart

In daily life, we may encounter situations where we wish someone to have a soft, open, and receptive heart—whether a spouse, friend, supervisor, or family member. One of the most blessed ways to achieve this is by reciting specific supplications sourced from the Qur'an and the prayers of the Prophets.

1. Prayer to Soften a Heart While Mentioning the Person's Name

This supplication is very popular and frequently used by those hoping someone will become more open-hearted and gentle.

Arabic:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْعَزِيْزُ الْكَبِيْرُ وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ الضَّعِيْفُ الذَّلِيْلُ الَّذِيْ لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِكَ
اللَّهُمَّ سَخِّرْ لِيْ ...(nama)... كَمَا سَخَّرْتَ فِرْعَوْنَ لِمُوْسَى وَلَيِّنْ لِيْ قَلْبَهُ كَمَا لَيَّنْتَ الْحَدِيْدَ لِدَاوُدَ
فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَنْطِقُ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِكَ نَاصِيَتُهُ فِيْ قَبْضَتِكَ وَقَلْبُهُ فِيْ يَدِكَ جَلَّ ثَنَاؤُكَ يَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِيْنَ

Latin:

"Allahumma innaka Antal ‘Aziizul Kabiir wa ana ‘abduka adz-dzaliil al-dho’iif, alladzii laa haula wa laa quwwata illaa bika.
Allahumma sakhkhir li...(state name)... kamaa sakhkharta Firauna li Musa, wa layyin li qalbahu kamaa layyanta al-hadiida li Dawud.
Fa innahu laa yanthiqu illa bi idznika, naashiyatuhu fii qobdhatika, wa qalbuhu fii yadika. Jalla tsanaau wajhika, ya Arhamar Rahimin."

Meaning:

"O Allah, You are the Almighty and the Greatest, while I am Your weak and humble servant. There is no power and no strength except by You. O Allah, subjugate ...(state name)... for me just as You subjugate Pharaoh to Moses, and soften their heart for me just as You softened iron for David. Indeed, they do not speak except by Your permission, their forelock is in Your grasp, and their heart is in Your hand. Exalted are You, O Most Merciful of the merciful."

2. Prayer to Incline the Heart of a Prospective Spouse

If you wish to unite hearts with someone, whether for the process of ta'aruf (getting to know each other within Islamic bounds), khitbah (proposal), or marriage, recite this prayer:

Arabic:

اللَّهُمَّ أَلْفَ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ ...(sebut nama)... بن / بنت ...(nama ayah)...
اللَّهُمَّ أَلِّفْ قَلْبَ ...(sebut nama)... بن / بنت ...(nama ayah)...
كَمَا أَلَّفْتَ بَيْنَ آدَمَ وَحَوَّاء وَإِبْرَاهِيمَ وَسَارَةَ وَمُحَمَّدٍ وَأُمَّتِهِ وَيُوْسُفَ وَزُلَيْخَا...

Latin:

"Allahumma allif baynii wa bayna ...(name)... bin/binti ...(father's name)...
Allahumma allif qalba ...(name)... bin/binti ...(father's name)...
kama allafta baina Adama wa Hawwaa, wa Ibrahiima wa Saarah, wa Muhammadin wa ummatihi, wa Yusufa wa Zulaikha..."

Meaning:

"O Allah, unite me with ...(name)... son/daughter of ...(father's name)... and unite their heart with mine just as You united Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, Muhammad and his ummah, and Joseph and Zuleikha."

3. Prayer from a Distance to Soften a Heart

This prayer is suitable to recite when you wish someone from afar to open their heart to understanding and acceptance.

Arabic:

اَللَّهُمَّ لاَ سَهْلَ إِلاَّ مَا جَعَلْتَهُ سَهْلاً وَأَنْتَ تَجْعَلُ الْحَزْنَ إِذَا شِئْتَ سَهْلاً

Latin:

"Allahumma la sahla illa maa ja'altahu sahla, wa anta taj'alul hazna idza syi'ta sahla."

Meaning:

"O Allah, there is no ease except what You make easy, and You can make difficulty easy if You so will."

4. The Prayer of Prophet David to Soften Hearts

Prophet David ﷺ had a supplication that you can practice so that a person's heart becomes soft rather than hardened.

Arabic:

اللَّهُمَّ لَيِّنْ لِي قَلْبَهُ كَمَا لَيَّنْتَ لِدَاوُدَ الْحَدِيدَ

Latin:

"Allahumma layyin li qalbahu, kamaa layyanta li Dawudal hadid."

Meaning:

"O Allah, soften their heart for me just as You softened iron for David."

5. The Prayer of Prophet Solomon in the Qur'an

This prayer was recited by Prophet Solomon in the letter he sent to the Queen of Sheba.

Arabic:

إِنَّهُۥ مِن سُلَيْمَٰنَ وَإِنَّهُۥ بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
أَلَّا تَعْلُوا۟ عَلَىَّ وَأْتُونِى مُسْلِمِينَ

Latin:

"Innahu min Sulaimana wa innahu Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.
Alla ta'luu 'alayya wa'tuuni muslimiin."

Meaning:

6. The Prayer of Prophet Moses When Speaking Before Others

Suitable to read before speaking to someone whose heart you wish to soften.

Arabic:

رَبِّ اشْرَحْ لِي صَدْرِي وَيَسِّرْ لِي أَمْرِي
وَاحْلُلْ عُقْدَةً مِّن لِّسَانِي يَفْقَهُوا قَوْلِي

Latin:

"Robbisy rahli shodrii, wa yassirlii amrii, wahlul ‘uqdatam mil lisaani yafqohu qoulii."

Meaning:

"My Lord, expand for me my chest, ease for me my task, and untie the knot from my tongue that they may understand my speech."

7. Prayer to Calm and Steadfast One's Own Heart

Sometimes we not only need to soften the hearts of others, but also calm our own.

Arabic:

اللَّهُمَّ يَا مُقَلِّبَ الْقُلُوْبِ ثَبِّتْ قَلْبِي عَلَى دِيْنِكَ

Latin:

"Allahumma ya Muqallibal quluub, thabbit qalbi ‘ala deenik."

Meaning:

"O Allah, Controller of the hearts, make my heart steadfast upon Your religion."

Evidence and Scholars' Views

The prayers mentioned above are part of the supplications taught by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. In a hadith narrated by Imam Muslim, it is mentioned that the Prophet frequently prayed:

"اللَّهُمَّ يَا مُقَلِّبَ الْقُلُوْبِ ثَبِّتْ قَلْبِي عَلَى دِيْنِكَ"
Narrated by Muslim no. 2654

Scholars agree that calling upon Allah is a highly recommended form of worship, and asking Him to soften someone's heart is a noble act. In the Qur'an, Allah states:

Imam an-Nawawi explained in his book "Al-Adhkar" that du'a is a believer's weapon, and it is highly recommended to petition Allah in every matter, including to soften a person's heart.

Conclusion

Praying to soften the heart of someone who is harsh is a form of spiritual effort (ikhtiar) that a Muslim can undertake. With a sincere intention and a pure heart, seeking Allah's help is the finest course of action. We hope that through these prayers, Allah will grant gentleness to the hearts of those we pray for, and bring peace and tranquility to all.

May Allah answer our prayers and soften the hearts of our loved ones. Amin.