Every Muslim should maintain his faith and protect himself against deviations and Satan’s traps. Getting oneself well-acquainted with Islamic teachings and concepts, keeping on making du`a’ and dhikr, reading the Qur’an, steering clear of haram (forbidden) things, et cetera, are the assured means that protect a Muslim from going astray.
Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states: “Every Muslim and Muslimah should remember, Shaytan (Satan) made a pledge with Allah that he would waylay the believers and come upon them from their back, from their front, from their right and left and continue to play different cards with them in order to lead them astray. It is therefore incumbent on the believers to be vigilant and guard against Shaytan’s tricks. This can be done by always seeking refuge in Allah and asking Him for guidance.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “There will be times of great crisis like thick masses of darkness; a person who is a believer in the morning may end up a disbeliever in the evening, and a person who is a believer in the evening may end up becoming a disbeliever in the morning – he sells his religion for a trifle price.”
So, there is nothing strange about the phenomenon. That is why the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) taught us to pray to Allah:
Allaahumma ya muqalliba al qullubi thabbit qullubana `ala deenik. Allaahumma ya muqalliba al qullubi thabbit qullubana `ala al-haqq. Allaahumma ya muqalliba al qullubi thabbit qullubana `ala ta`atek. (O Allah, You are the twister of hearts, make our hearts firm on Your religion. O Allah, You are the twister of hearts, make our hearts firm on the truth. O Allah, You are the twister of hearts, make our hearts firm on Your obedience.)
Also, you may read the Qur’anic du`a’: “Our Lord! Cause not our hearts to stray after Thou hast guided us and bestow upon us mercy from Thy Presence. Lo! Thou, only Thou art the Bestower.” (Al `Imran: 8)