Rabbi’ghfir lī, Rabbi’ghfir lī. Lord, forgive me. My Lord, forgive me. Reference: Abu Dawud 1/231. See also Al-Albani, Sahihibn Mdjah 1/148.

Hudhaifa reported that the Prophet used to say between the two sajdas, “My Lord, forgive me.” Nasa’i and Darimi transmitted it.

"When Allah's Messenger entered the Masjid he said Salat and Salam upon Muhammad and then said: (Rabbighfirli dhunubi, waftahli abwaba rahmatik) 'O pardon my sins, and open the gates of Your mercy for me.' And when he exited he said Salat and Salam upon Muhammad, and then said: (Rabbighfirli dunubi, waftahli abwaba rakmatik) 'O Lord pardon my sins, and open the gates of Your blessings for me.'"

Ibn Umar (ra) said: Allah's Messenger (saws) used to repeat in a single sitting: Rabbigh’fir lī wa tub `alayy innaka antat-Tawwābu ‘l-Ghafūr. Ibn Umar (ra) said: Allah's Messenger (saws) used to repeat in a single sitting: My Lord, forgive me, and accept my repentance, You are the Ever-Relenting, the All-Forgiving. Reference: Sahih Ibn Majah 2/321. See also Al-Albani, Sahih At-Tirmidhi 3/153.

“Rabbighfir li, Rabbighfir li (O Lord forgive me, O Lord forgive me).”

The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Allah, the Exalted, and Glorious said: 'A slave committed a sin and he said: O Allah, forgive my sin,' and Allah said: 'My slave committed a sin and then he realized that he has a Rubb Who forgives the sins and punishes for the sin.' He then again committed a sin and said: 'My Rubb, forgive my sin,' and Allah (SWT) said: 'My slave committed a sin and then realized that he has a Rubb Who forgives his sin and punishes for the sin.' He again committed a sin and said: 'My Rubb, forgive my sin,' and Allah (SWT) said: 'My slave has committed a sin and then realized that he has a Rubb Who forgives the sin or takes (him) to account for sin. I have granted forgiveness to my slave. Let him do whatever he likes".

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

The last sentence "let him do..". means, as long he keeps asking for forgiveness after the commission of sins, and repents, Allah will forgive him because repentance eliminates previous sins". (Editor's Note)

Abu Musa reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to make this supplication, "O Allah, forgive my errors, my ignorance and my excess in all my affairs, and what You know better than me of these things. O Allah, forgive all my errors, what I do intentionally or out of my ignorance or in jest and in all that I do. O Allah, forgive me my past and future wrong actions, what I conceal of them and what I divulge. You are the One who puts things ahead and the One who delays them. You have power over all things."

A servant [of Allah's] committed a sin and said: O Allah, forgive me my sin. And He (glorified and exalted be He) said: My servant has committed a sin and has known that he has a Lord who forgives sins and punishes for them. Then he sinned again and said: O Lord, forgive me my sin. And He (glorified and exalted be He) said: My servant has committed a sin and has known that he has a Lord who forgives sins and punishes for them. Then he sinned again and said: O Lord, forgive me my sin. And He (glorified and exalted be He) said: My servant has committed a sin and has known that he has a Lord who forgives sins and punishes for sins. Do what you wish, for I have forgiven you. It was related by Muslim (also by al-Bukhari).

He came to the Prophet (SAW) and stood by his side, and he said: "Allahu Akbar Dhul-malakut wal-jabarut wal-kibriya' wal 'azamah (Allah is Most Great, the One Who has all sovereignty, power, magnificence, and might.)" Then he recited Al-Baqarah, then he bowed, and his bowing lasted almost as long as his standing, and he said when bowing: 'Subahana Rabbial-'azim, Subhana Rabbial-'azim (Glory be to my Lord Almighty, Glory be to my Lord Almighty)." When he raised his head he said: "Li Rabbial-hamd, Li Rabbial-hamd (To my Lord be praise, to my Lord be praise)." And when he prostrated he said: "Subahana Rabbial-A'la, Subahna Rabbial-A'la (Glory be to my Lord Most High, glory be to my Lord Most High)." And between the two prostrations he would say: "Rabbighfirli, Rabbighfirli (Lord forgive me, Lord forgive me)."

We counted Messenger's saying a hundred times during one single sitting: Rabb- ighfir li, wa tubb 'alayya, innaka Antat-Tawwabur-Rahim. (My Rubb! Forgive me and pardon me. Indeed, You are the Oft-Returning with compassion and Ever Merciful."

[Abu Dawud and At- Tirmidhi].

We counted that God’s messenger would say a hundred times during a meeting, “My Lord, forgive me and pardon me; Thou art the Pardoning and Forgiving One.” Ahmad, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Ibn 'Umar said, "I heard the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, asking Allah to forgive him a hundred times in this assembly with the words, 'O Allah, forgive me and turn to me and show mercy to me. You are the Ever-Turning back (to his slaves), Merciful.'"

Lā 'ilāha 'illallāhu waḥdahu la sharīka lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-ḥamdu, wa huwa 'alā kulli shay'in qadīr Subḥānallāhi, walḥamdu lillāhi, wa lā 'ilāha 'illallāhu, wallāhu 'akbar, wa lā ḥaula wa lā quwwata 'illā billāhil-`aliyyil-`aẓīm, rabbighfir lī. There is none worthy of worship but Allah alone, Who has no partner, His is the dominion and to Him belongs all praise, and He is able to do all things. Glory is to Allah. Praise is to Allah. There is none worthy of worship but Allah. Allah is the Most Great. There is no might and no power except by Allah's leave, the Exalted, the Mighty. My Lord, forgive me. Reference: Whoever says this will be forgiven, and if he supplicates Allah, his prayer will be answered; if he performs ablution and prays, his prayer will be accepted. Al-Bukhari, cf. Al-Asqalani, Fathul-Bari 3/39, among others. The wording here is from Ibn Majah 2/335.

He prayed with the Messenger of Allah (SAW) one night and he heard him say when he said the takbir: "Allahu Akbara dhal-jabaruti wal-malakuti wal-kibriya'i wal-'azamah (Allah is Most Great, the One Who has all power, sovereignty, magnificence and might.)" When bowing he would say: "Subhana Rabbial-'Azim (Glory be to my Lord Almighty)." When he raised his head from bowing he would say: "Lirabbil-hamd, Lirabbil-hamd (To my Lord be praise, to my Lord be praise)." And when he prostrated (he said): "Subhana Rabbial-A'la (Glory be to my Lord Most High)." And between the two prostrations (he said): "Rabbighfirli, Rabbighfirli (Lord forgive me, Lord forgive me)." His standing, his bowing, when he raised his head from bowing, his prostration and the time between the two prostrations, were almost the same.

He prayed with the Messenger of Allah during Ramadan. He bowed and said: "Subhana Rabbiyal-Azim while bowing, for as long as he had stood. Then he sat down and said: "Rabbighfirli, Rabbighfirli (Lord forgive me, Lord forgive me)," for as long as he had stood. Then he prostrated and said: "Subhana Rabbiyal-'Ala for as long as he had stood And he prayed no more than four rak'ahs when Bilal came for Al-Ghadah.

Hudhaifa said he saw the Prophet praying at night, and he was saying, “God is most great (three times), Possessor of the kingdom, might, pomp and greatness.” Thereafter he began and recited al-Baqara (Al-Qur’an; 2) then bowed, his bowing lasting about the same length of time as his standing, and he was saying while bowing, “Glory be to my mighty Lord.” He then raised his head after bowing and stood about the same length of time as he bad spent in bowing, saying, “To my Lord be the praise.” Then he prostrated himself for about the same length of time as he had stood, and he was saying while prostrating himself, “Glory be to my Lord most high.” He then raised his head after the prostration and sat between the two prostrations about the same length of time as he had spent in his prostration, and he was saying, “My Lord, forgive me; my Lord, forgive me.” He then prayed four rak'as in which he recited al-Baqara, Al 'Imran, an-Nisa’, and al-Ma'idaor al-An‘am (Al-Qur’an; 2, 3, 4 and 5 and 6) Shu‘ba was doubtful which it was. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Fatima daughter of al-Husain said on the authority of her grand-mother, Fatima the elder,* that when the Prophet entered the mosque he would pray for blessings and safety for himself and say, “My Lord, forgive me my sins, and open to me the gates of Thy mercy.” And when he went out he would pray for blessings and safety for himself and say, “My Lord, forgive me my sins, and open to me the gates of Thy abundance.” *The daughter of the Prophet who married ‘Ali. Tirmidhi, Ahmad and Ibn Majah transmitted it. In the version of the last two she said that when he entered the mosque, and also when he came out, he said, “In the name of God, and peace be upon God’s Messenger,” instead of “he would pray for blessings and safety for himself.” Tirmidhi said that its isnad is not connected, for Fatima daughter of al-Husain was not born in the lifetime of Fatima the elder.

A desert Arab came to Allah's Messenger (SAW) and said, "Teach me a word that I can say. " The Prophet told him to say: Lā ilāha illallāh waḥdahu lā sharīka lah, Allāhu Akbaru kabīra, walḥamdu lillāhi kathīra, Subḥānallāhi Rabbil-`ālamīn, Lā ḥawla wa lā quwwata illā billāhi ‘l-`Azīzil-Hakīm. He said, "That is for my Lord, but what about me?" The Prophet (SAW) told him to say: Allāhummaghfir lī, warḥamnī, waḥdinī warzuqnī. A desert Arab came to Allah's Messenger (SAW) and said, "Teach me a word that I can say. " The Prophet told him to say: There is none worthy of worship but Allah, Who has no partner, Allah is the Great, the Most Great, and praise is to Allah in abundance, glory is to Allah, Lord of the worlds. There is no power and no might but by Allah the Mighty, the Wise. He said, "That is for my Lord, but what about me?" The Prophet (SAW) told him to say: O Allah forgive me, and have mercy on me and guide me, and provide for me. Reference: Muslim 4/2072, Abu Dawud reports the same Hadith with the addition: and when the Arab left, the Prophet (SAW) said: "He has filled his hands with goodness." 1/220.

O Allah, forgive me my sins, and Allah (the Exalted and Glorious) said: My servant commited a sin and then he came to realise that he has a Lord Who forgives the sins and takes to account (the sinner) for the sin. He then again committed a sin and said: My Lord, forgive me my sin, and Allah, the Exalted and High, said: My servant committed a sin and then came to realise that he has a Lord Who would forgive his sin or would take (him) to account for the sin. He again committed a sin and said: My Lord, forgive me for my sin, and Allah (the Exalted and High) said: My servant sas committed a sin and then came to realise that he has a Lord Who forgives the sins or takes (him) to account for sin. O servant, do what you like. I have granted you forgiveness. 'Abd al-A'la said: I do not know whether he said thrice or four times to do" what you desire".

Allahu Akbar, dhul malakuti wal jabaruti wal kibri-yaa-i wal a-za-mati.
Translation: Allah is supreme! Lord of Dominion, Power, Majesty, and Magnificence.

He then recited (after the Faatihah) Surah Baqarah, and performed ruku'. The length of the ruku' was as long as the qiyaam (standing posture). (The 'ulama give two meanings to this and both are possible. The first is that the ruku' was as long as the qiyaam. For example, if the qiyaam was for one hour, the ruku' was also for about one hour. Accordingly, this mas-alah is established, that if the ruku' and sajdah are longer than normal, the salaah will be valid. The second is that the qiyaam was longer than normal. In this instance if the qiyaam was for an hour, and the ruku' for fifteen minutes, then too it will be truly explaining this hadith. According to this saying the salaah remains in the normal manner. i.e. a fundamental action of salaah that was long, like qiyaam, remained long. And those that were short, like ruku' or sajdah, remained short. But certainly every fundamental action was longer than normal). Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam repeated:

Subhaana rabbiyal azimi-Subhaana rabbiyal azimi.
Translation: Glory be to my Lord the Magnificient.

He lifted his head from the ruku' and stood. This standing was also long like that of the ruku'. At this moment he repeated:

Li rabbiyal hamdu-Li rabbiyal hamdu.
Translation: All praises are for my Lord. All praises are for my Lord.

He then performed the sajdah. The sajdah was as long as the qawmah (standing in between the ruku' and sajdah). and he recited:

Subhaana rabbiyal aa'laa-Subhaana rabbiyal aa'laa.
Translation: Glory be to my Lord the Exalted. Glory be to my Lord the Exalted.

He then sat up from the sajdah. This sitting was also long as that of the sajdah. Here he repeated:

Rabbigh-fir lee-Rabbig-fir lee.
Translation: O Lord forgive me. O Lord forgive me.

Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam recited in this salaah Surah Baqarah, Surah Aali 'Imraan, Surah Nisaa, ...

Hudhayfah saw the Messenger of Allah (saws) praying at night. He said: Allah is most great" three times, "Possessor of kingdom, grandeur, greatness and majesty."

He then began (his prayer) and recited Surah al-Baqarah; then he bowed and he paused in bowing as long as he stood up; he said while bowing, "Glory be to my mighty Lord," "Glory be to my mighty Lord" ; then he raised his head, after bowing: then he stood up and he paused as long as he paused in bowing and said, "Praise be to my Lord" ; then he prostrated and paused in prostration as long as he paused in the standing position; he said while prostrating: "Glory be to my most high Lord"; then he raised his head after prostration, and sat as long as he prostrated, and said while sitting: "O my Lord forgive me."

He offered four rak'ahs of prayer and recited in them Surah al-Baqarah, Aal Imran, an-Nisa, al-Ma'idah, or al-An'am. The narrator Shu'bah doubted.

I said: Messenger of Allah, the son of Jud'an established ties of relationship, fed the poor. Would that be of any avail to him? He said: It would be of no avail to him as he did not ever say: O my Lord, pardon my sins on the Day of Resurrection.

Never did I, see the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) after the revelation (of these verses):" When Allah's help and victory came." observin- his prayer without making (this supplication) or he said in it (supplication): Hallowed be Thee, my Lord, and with Thy praise, O Allah, forgive me.

" O Allah, grant me pardon, have mercy upon me, protect me, provide me sustenance," and he collected his fingers together except his thumb and said: It is in these words (that there is supplication) which sums up for you (the good) of this world and that of the Hereafter.

A bedouin came to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and said to him, "Teach me a few words to recite frequently." He (PBUH) said, "Say: "La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lahu; Allahu Akbar kabiran, wal-hamdu lillahi kathiran, wa subhan-Allahi Rabbil-'alamin; wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billahil-'Azizil-Hakim (there is no true god except Allah the One and He has no partner with Him; Allah is the Greatest and greatness is for Him. All praise is due to Him. Allah, the Rubb of the worlds is free from imperfection; there is no might and power but that of Allah, the All-Powerful and the All-Wise.)"' The bedouin said: "All of these for my Rubb. But what is for me?" Thereupon he (Messenger of Allah (PBUH)) said, "You should say: 'Allahummaghfir li, warhamni, wahdini, warzuqni (O Allah! Grant me pardon, have mercy upon me, direct me to righteousness and provide me subsistence)'."

[Muslim].

"I noticed that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) was missing and I thought he had gone to visit one of his concubines, so I looked for him and found him prostrating and saying: 'Rabbighfirli ma asrartu wa ma a'lant (O Allah, forgive me for what (sin) I have concealed and what I have done openly).'"

We counted that the Messenger of Allah (saws) would say a hundred times during a meeting: "My Lord, forgive me and pardon me; Thou art the Pardoning and forgiving One".

“When praying at night (Qiyamul-Lail), the Messenger of Allah (saw) used to say between the two prostrations: ‘Rabbighfir li warhamni wajburni warzuqni warfa’ni (O Lord, forgive me, have mercy on me, improve my situation, grant me provision and raise me in status).’”

"We used to count that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said one hundred times in a gathering: 'Rabbighfirli wa tub `alayya innaka Antat-Tawwabur-Rahim (O Allah forgive me and accept my repentance, for You are the Accepter of repentance, the Most Merciful).'"

when a man had come to the Messenger of Allah (saas), he heard him say: "O Messenger of Allah, what should I say when I ask of Allah?" He said: "Say: Allahumma-ghfirli warhamni wa 'afini warzuqni (O Allah, forgive me, have mercy on me, keep me safe and sound and grant me provision)," and he held up his four fingers apart from the thumb and said: "These combine your religious and worldly affairs."

Ibn 'Umar said, "We used to say this a hundred times in the assembly of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, 'O Lord, forgive me and turn back to me (forgive me). You are the Ever-Turning back (to his slaves), the Merciful.'"

Sa‘d b. Abu Waqqas said that a nomadic Arab come to God's messenger and asked him to teach him some words to say. He told him to say, “There is no god but God alone who has no partner; God is very great; Abundant praise is due to God; Glory be to God, the Lord of the universe; There is no might and no power except in God, the Mighty, the Wise.” On his remarking that these were for his Lord but he wanted to know what he should say for himself, he told him to say, “O God, forgive me, show mercy to me, guide me, provide for me, and grant me security.” The transmitter was doubtful about “grant me security.” Muslim transmitted it.

“In one sitting of the Messenger of Allah (saws), one could count that he said a hundred time, before he would get up: ‘O my Lord, forgive me, and accept my repentance. Verily, You are the Oft-Returning, the Most Forgiving (Rabbighfirlī watub `alayya innaka antat-Tawwābul-Ghafūr).’”

“The Messenger of Allah (saws) said: ‘The night prayers are (to be offered) two by two. Say the Tashah-hud after each two Rak`ah, and raise your hands in all humility like one who is poor and needy and say: ‘Allāhummaghfir lī (O Allah, forgive me).’ And whoever does not do that, it is imperfect.’”

God is most great; there is no might and no power but in God,’ then says, ‘My Lord, forgive me’ (or he said, Then makes supplication), he will receive an answer; and if he performs ablution and prays, his prayer will be accepted.” Bukhari transmitted it.

A highly wicked one amongst the Jinn escaped yesternight to interrupt my prayer, but Allah gave me power over him, so I seized him and intended to tie him to one of the pillars of the mosque in order that you, all together or all, might look at him, but I remembered the supplication of my brother Sulaiman:" My Lord, forgive me, give me such a kingdom as will not be possible for anyone after me" (Qur'an, xxxvii. 35).

Teach me the words which I should (often) utter. He said: Utter," There is no god but Allah, the One, having no partner with Him. Allah is the Greatest of the great and all praise is due to Him. Hallowed be Allah, the Lord of the worlds, there is no Might and Power but that of Allah, the All-Powerful and the Wise." He (that desert Arab) said: These all (glorify) my Lord. But what about me? Thereupon he (the Holy Prophet) said: You should say:" O Allah, grant me pardon, have mercy upon me, direct me to righteousness and provide me sustenance." Musa (one of the narrators) said: I think he also said:" Grant me safety." But I cannot say for certain whether he said this or not. Ibn Abi Shaiba has not made a mention of the words of Musa in his narration.

‘Ali was brought a beast to ride, and when he put his foot in the stirrup he said, “In the name of God.” Then when he sat on its back he said, “Praise be to God.” He then said, “Glory be to Him who has made this subservient to us, for we had not the strength, and to our Lord do we return.” He then said, “Praise be to God (thrice); God is most great (thrice); Glory be to Thee. I have wronged myself, so forgive me, for only Thou forgivest sins.” He then laughed, and when he was asked what he was laughing at, he replied that he had seen God’s messenger do as he had done and laugh after that. He had asked him what he was laughing at, and he told him that his Lord was pleased with His servant when he asked Him to forgive him his sins, for God says, “He knows that I alone forgive sins.” Ahmad, Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud transmitted it.

I saw ‘Ali (رضي الله عنه) when a mount was brought to him to ride. When he put his foot in the stirrup, he said: Bismillah (in the Name of Allah). When he got on it, he said: Glory be to the One Who has placed this (transport) at our service and we ourselves would not have been capable of that, and to our Lord is our final destiny. Then he said Alhamdulillah three times and Allahu Akbar three times, then he said: Glory be to You, there is no god but You. I have indeed wronged myself, so forgive me. Then he smiled, and I said: Why are you smiting, O Ameer al-Mu`mimeen? He said: I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) do what I have done, then he smiled and I said: Why are you smiling O Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) He said: `The Lord marvels at His slave when he says, `Lord forgive me,` and He says: `My slave knows that no one forgives sins but Me.`

After the revelation of (the Surah) "When the Help of Allah comes (to you, O Muhammad (PBUH) against your enemies) and the Conquest (of Makkah)" (110:1), Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to recite in every prayer: "Subhanaka Rabbana wa bihamdika, Allahum-maghfir li (Far removed You are from every imperfection, our Rubb, and all praise is for You, forgive me, O Allah)".

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Another narration is: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) recited frequently in bowing and prostration: "Subhanaka Rabbana wa bihamdika, Allahum-maghfir li. (Far removed You are from every imperfection, our Rubb, and all praise is for You, forgive me, O Allah)". He elucidated that it has been commanded in the Noble Qur'an to recite: "So glorify the Praises of your Rubb, and ask for His forgiveness. Verily, He is the One Who accepts the repentance and Who forgives". (V.110:1) And he (the Messenger of Allah) acted upon it.

According to the narration in Muslim, Messenger of Allah (PBUH) frequently recited these words just before he passed away: "Subhanaka Rabbana wa bihamdika. Astaghfiruka wa atubu ilaika." I ('Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) asked him: "O Messenger of Allah! What are these new words which I hear from you repeatedly." He replied, "A sign has been appointed for me relating to my people that I should repeat these words at the sight of that sign". Then he recited Surat An-Nasr.

Another narration in Muslim related from 'Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) is: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) often recited, "Glory be to Allah and praise be to Him; I seek forgiveness of Allah and turn to Him in repentance." I said to him: "O Messenger of Allah, I hear you recite frequently: 'O Allah, You are free from every imperfection our Rubb and all praise is for You; I seek forgiveness of Allah and turn to Him in repentance."' He replied, "My Rubb has informed me that I would soon see a sign regarding my people, whenever I see it, I repeat this statement more often (of His Glorification and Praise and beg pardon of Him and turn to Him). Now I have witnessed the sign. The revelation of Surat An-Nasr and the victory is the conquest of Makkah."

"When there comes the Help of Allah (to you, O Muhammad (PBUH) against your enemies) and the Conquest (of Makkah). And you see that the people enter Allah's religion (Islam) in crowds. So glorify the Praises of your Rubb, and ask His forgiveness. Verily, ...

When the Messenger of Allah (saws) entered upon Abu Salamah, his eyes were fixedly open. So he closed them. The members of his family cried. He said: Do not pray for yourself anything but good, for the angels utter Amin to what you say. He then said: O Allah, forgive Abu Salamah, raise his rank among those who are guided, and grant him a succession in his descendants who remain. Forgive both us and him, Lord of the universe. O Allah,make his grave spacious for him, and grant him light in it.

Abu Dawud said: The eyes of the deceased should be closed after his expiry. I heard Muhammad b. al-Nu'man al-Muqri say: I heard a man who was devoted to Allah say: I closed the eyes of Ja'far al-Mu'allim when he was dying. He was a man devoted to Allah. I saw him in a dream on the night he died. He said: The biggest thing for me was closing the eyes by you before I died.

When any person amongst us fell ill, Allah's Messenger (may peace he upon him) used to rub him with his right band and then say: O Lord of the people, grant him health, heal him, for Thou art a Greet Healer. There is no healere, but with Thy healing Power one is healed and illness is removed. She further added: When Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) fell ill, and his illness took a serious turn I took hold of hie hand to that I should do with it what he ward to do with that (i. e. I would rub his body with his sacred hand). But he withdrew his hand from my hand and then said: O Allah, pardon me and make me join the companion. ship on She said. I was gazing at him constantly whereas he had passed away.

The Messenger of Allah (saws) said: “Whoever wakes up in the night and says, ‘None has the right to be worshiped but Allah, alone, without partner, to Him belongs the Dominion, and to Him is the praise, and He has power over all things. And Glory is to Allah, and all the praise is to Allah, and ‘None has the right to be worshiped but Allah, and Allah is the greatest, and there is no might nor power except by Allah (Lā ilāha illallāh, waḥdahu lā sharīka lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-ḥamdu, wa huwa `alā kulli shai'in qadīr. Wa subḥān Allah, walḥamdulillāh, wa lā ilāha illallāh, wa Allāhu akbar, wa lā ḥawla wa lā quwwata illā billāh.)’ – then he said: ‘O my Lord, forgive me (Rabbighfirlī)’ – or he said – ‘then he supplicates, he shall be responded to. So he makes a firm determination, then performs Wudu', then he performs Salat, his Salat shall be accepted.”

there is no god but Allah alone Who has no partner, to whom dominion belongs, to whom praise is due, and who has power over everything (omnipotent). Glory be to Allah, and praise be to Allah, and there is no god but Allah, and then he prays: O my Lord, forgive me. Abu Dawud said : Al-Walid’s version has; and he prays, his prayer will be answered. If he gets up, performs ablution, and prays, his prayer will be accepted.

“The Prophet (saw) used to seek refuge using the following words: ‘Adhhibil-ba’s, Rabbin-nas, washfi Antash-shafi, la shifa’a illa shifa’uka, shifa’an la yughadiru saqaman (Take away the affliction, O Lord of mankind, and grant healing, for You are the Healer and there is no healing that leaves no sickness).’ When the Prophet (saw) fell sick with the sickness that would be his last, I took his hand and wiped it over his body and recited these words. He withdrew his hand from mine and said: ‘O Allah, forgive me and let me meet the exalted companions (i.e., those who occupy high positions in Paradise).’ Those were the last words of his that I heard.”

“The Messenger of Allah (saw) said: ‘Whoever wakes up in the morning and says upon waking: La ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu, wa Huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in Qadir; Subhan-Allah walhamdu lillahi, wa la ilaha illallahu, wa Allahu Akbar, wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billahil-‘Aliyil-‘Azim (None has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone, with no partner or associate. His is the dominion and all praise is to Him, and He is Able to do all things. Glory is to Allah, praise is to Allah, none has the right to be worshiped but Allah, Allah is the Most Great, and there is no power and no strength except with Allah, the Most High, the Most Supreme), then he supplicates Rabbighfirli (O Lord, forgive me), he will be forgiven.’” Walid said: “Or he said: then if he supplicated, it will be answered for him then if he stood up and performed ablution and then performed prayer, his prayer would be accepted.”

“I witnessed Ali having an animal brought to him to ride. When he placed his foot in the stirrup he said: ‘In the Name of Allah,’ (Bismillāh) [three times]. So then, once he had ascended upon its back, he said: ‘All praise is due to Allah.’ (Al-ḥamdulillāh) then he said: Glory is to Him Who has subjected this to us, and we were not able to do it. And, surely, to our Lord are we returning (Subḥān alladhī sakh-khara lanā hādhā wa mā kunnā lahū muqrinīn. Wa innā ilā rabbinā lamunqalibūn). Then he said: ‘All praise is due to Allah (Al-ḥamdulillāh)’ – three times – and ‘Allah is the Greatest (Allāhu Akbar)’ – three times – ‘Glory is to You, indeed I have wronged myself, so forgive me, for indeed none forgives sins except You (Subḥānaka innī qad ẓalamtu nafsī faghfirlī fa-innahū lā yaghfirudh-dhunūba illā ant).’ Then he laughed. So I said: ‘O Commander of the Believer! What caused you to laugh?’ He said: ‘I saw the Messenger of Allah do as I did, then he (saws) laughed, so I said, ‘What cause you to laugh?’ He said: ‘Indeed, your Lord is very pleased with His worshipper when he says: “O my Lord, forgive me my sins, indeed, no one other than You forgives sins.”

Translation: Glorified be He Who hath sudued those unto us, and we were not capable (Of subduing them); And lo! Unto our Lord we are returning. (Surah Zukhruf 13-14)

(The ulama say that a conveyance could be a means of death. Therefore subjugation of a conveyance with gratitude towards Allah for His Mercy, and death are mentioned together. After all a person has to return to Allah after death). Ali radiyallahu anhu then said Alhamdulillah three times, Allahu Akbar three times, then recited:

Translation: Glorified be Thou! Behold, I have wronged myself. So forgive thou me. Indeed, non forgiveth sins but Thou.

Then (Sayyidina Ali radiyallahu anhu) laughed (smiled). I said to him, "What is the reason for laughing, O Ameerul Mumineen?" He replied, "Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam also recited these duas in this manner and thereafter laughed (smiled). I also inquired from Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam the reason for laughing (smiling) as you have asked me. Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam said, "Allah Ta'ala becomes happy when His servants say, 'No one can forgive me save You.' My servant knows that no one forgives sins besides me.

When the Messenger of Allah (saws) stood up for prayer, he uttered the takbir (Allah is most great), then said: I have turned my face, breaking with all others, towards Him Who created the heavens and the earth, and I am not a polytheist. My prayer and my devotion, my life and my death belong to Allah, the Lord of the Universe, Who has no partner. That is what I have been commanded, and I am first of Muslims (those who surrender themselves). O Allah, Thou art the King. There is no God but Thee. Thou art my Lord and I am Thy servant. I have wronged myself, but I acknowledge my sin, so forgive me all my sins; Thou Who alone canst forgive sins; and guide me to the best qualities. Thou Who alone canst guide to the best of them; and turn me from evil ones. Thou who alone canst turn from evil qualities. I come to serve and please Thee. All good is in Thy Hands, and evil does not pertain to Thee. I seek refuge in Thee and turn to Thee, Who art blessed and exalted. I ask Thy forgiveness and turn to thee in repentance. When he bowed, he said: O Allah, to Thee I bow, in Thee I trust, and to Thee I submit myself. My hearing, my sight, my brain, my bone and my sinews humble themselves before Thee. When he raised his head, he said: Allah listens to him who praises Him. O our lord, and all praises be to Thee in the whole of the heavens and the earth, and what is between them, and in whatever Thou creates afterwards. When he prostrated himself, he said: O Allah, to Thee I prostrate myself, to Thee I trust, and to Thee I submit myself. My face prostrated itself before Him Who created it, fashioned it, and fashioned it in the best shape, and brought forth its hearing and seeing. Blessed is Allah, the best of creators. When he saluted at the end of the prayer, he said: O Allah, forgive me my former and my latter sins, my open and secret sins, my sins in exceeding the limits, and what Thou knowest better than I. Thou art He Who puts forward and puts back. There is deity but Thee.

I turn my face in complete devotion to One Who is the Originator of the heaven and the earth and I am not of the polytheists. Verily my prayer, my sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of the worlds; There is no partner with Him and this is what I have been commanded (to profess and believe) and I am of the believers. O Allah, Thou art the King, there is no god but Thee, Thou art my Lord, and I am Thy bondman. I wronged myself and make a confession of my Sin. Forgive all my sins, for no one forgives the sins but Thee, and guide me in the best of conduct for none but Thee guideth anyone (in) good conduct. Remove sins from me, for none else but Thou can remove sins from me. Here I am at Thy service, and Grace is to Thee and the whole of good is in Thine hand, and one cannot get nearneststo Thee through evil. My (power as well as existence) is due to Thee (Thine grace) and I turn to Thee (for supplication). Thou art blessed and Thou art exalted. I seek forgiveness from Thee and turn to Thee in repentance: and when he would bow, he would say: O Allah, it is for Thee that I bowed. I affirm my faith in Thee and I submit to Thee, and submit humbly before Thee my hearing, my eyesight, my marrow, my bone, my sinew; and when he would raise his head, he would say: O Allah, our Lord, praise is due to Thee, (the praise) with which is filled the heavens and the earth, and with which is filled that (space) which exists between them, and filled with anything that Thou desireth afterward. And when he prostrated himself, he (the Holy Prophet) would say: O Allah, it is to Thee that I prostrate myself and it is in Thee that I affirm my faith, and I submit to Thee. My face is submitted before One Who created it, and shaped it, and opened his faculties of hearing and seeing. Blessed is Allah, the best of Creators; and he would then say between Tashahhud and the pronouncing of salutation: Forgive me of the earlier and later open and secret (sins) and that where I made transgression and that Thou knowest better than I. Thou art the First and the Last. There is no god, but Thee.

“I have directed my face towards the One who created the Heavens and the earth, as a Hanif, and I am not of the idolaters. Indeed, my Salat, my sacrifice, my living, and my dying is for Allah, the Lord of all that exists, there is no partner for Him, and with this have I been ordered, and I am among the Muslims. O Allah, You are the King, there is none worthy of worship except You. You are My Lord, and I am Your slave, I have wronged myself, and I admit to my sin, so forgive me all my sins, verily, there is none who forgives sins but You. And guide me to the best of the manners, none guides to the best of them except You, and turn the evil of them away from me, [verily,] none can turn the evil of them away from me except You. I have believed in You. Blessed are You and Exalted are You, I seek Your forgiveness and I repent to you (Wajjahtu wajhiya lilladhī faṭaras-samāwāti wal-arḍa ḥanīfan wa mā ana min al-mushrikīn, inna ṣalātī wa nusukī wa maḥyāya wa mamātī lillāhi rabbil-`ālamīn, lā sharīka lahū wa bidhālika umirtu wa ana min al-muslimīn. Allāhumma antal-maliku lā ilāha illā ant, anta rabbī, wa ana `abduka ẓalamtu nafsī wa`taraftu bidhanbī faghfirlī dhunūbī jamī`an, innahū lā yaghfir adh-dhunūba illā ant. Wahdinī li-aḥsanil-akhlāqi lā yahdī li-aḥsanihā illā ant. Waṣrif `annī sayyi’ahā [innahū] lā yaṣrifu `annī sayyi’aha illā ant. Āmantu bika tabārakta wa ta`ālaita astaghfiruka wa atūbu ilaik).” And when he would bow in Ruku`, he would say: “O Allah, to You I have bowed, and in You I believe, and to You have I submitted. My hearing, my sight, my brain, my bones and my sinew are humbled to you (Allāhumma laka raka`tu wa bika āmantu wa laka aslamtu. Khasha`a laka sam`ī wa baṣarī wa mukhkhī wa `iẓāmī, wa `aṣabī)” Then when he would raise his head, he would say: “O Allah, our Lord, to You is praise the fill of the Heavens and the earths and the fill of whatever You will of things. (Allāhumma rabbanā lakal-ḥamdu mil’as-samāwāti wal-arḍīna wa mā bainahumā, wa mil’a mā shi’ta min shay’in ba`d).” Then, when he prostrated, he would say: “O Allah, to You have I prostrated, and in You have I believed, and to You have I submitted, my face has prostrated to the One Who created it and fashioned it, and gave it its hearing and its sight. So Blessed is ...

“I have directed my face towards the One who has created the heavens and the earth, as a Hanif, and I am not of the idolaters. Indeed, my Salat, my sacrifice, my living, my dying, is for Allah, the Lord of all that exists, without partner, and with this have I been ordered and I am of the Muslims. O Allah, You are the King, there is none worthy of worship except You. You are My Lord, and I am Your slave, I have wronged myself and I admit to my sin, so forgive me all my sins, verily, there is none who forgives sins but You, and guide me to the best of manners, none guides to the best of them except You, and turn away from me the evil of them, none can turn away from me the evil of them except You. Here I am in obedience to You, and in aiding Your cause, and the good, all of it is in Your Hands, and the evil is not attributed to You, I am reliant upon You and ever-turning towards You, Blessed are You and Exalted are You. I seek Your forgiveness and I repent to you (Wajjahtu wajhiya lilladhī faṭaras-samāwāti wal-arḍa ḥanīfan wa mā ana min al-mushrikīn, inna ṣalātī wa nusukī wa maḥyāya wa mamātī lillāhi rabbil-`ālamīn, lā sharīka lahū wa bidhālika umirtu wa ana min al-muslimīn. Allāhumma antal-maliku lā ilāha illā ant, anta rabbī, wa ana `abduka ẓalamtu nafsī wa`taraftu bidhanbī faghfirlī dhunūbī jamī`an, innahū lā yaghfir adh-dhunūba illā ant. Wahdinī li-aḥsanil-akhlāqi lā yahdī li-aḥsanihā illā ant. Waṣrif `annī sayyi’ahā lā yaṣrifu `annī sayyi’aha illā ant. Labaika wa sa`daika wal-khairu kulluhū fī yadaika, wash-sharru laisa ilaik, tabārakta wa ta`ālaita astaghfiruka wa atūbu ilaik).” And when he would bow in Ruku he would say: “O Allah, to You have I bowed, and in You have I believed, and to You have I submitted. My hearing, my sight, my bones, and my sinew are humbled to you (Allāhumma laka raka`tu wa bika āmantu wa laka aslamtu. Khasha`a laka sam`ī wa baṣarī wa `iẓāmī, wa `aṣabī).” And when he would rise he would say: “O Allah, our Lord, to You is praise filling the heaven and filling the earth, and filling what is between them, and filling whatever You have wished of things afterward (Allāhumma rabbanā lakal-ḥamdu mil’as-samāwāti wa mil’al-arḍ wa mil’a mā bainahumā, wa mil’a mā shi’ta min shay’in ba`d).” Then, when he prostrated, he would ...

`I have turned my face in submission to the One who originated the heavens and the earth, as a monotheist and a Muslim, and I am not one of the mushrikeen. Verily, my Salah (prayer), my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of the ‘Alameen (mankind, jinn and all that exists). He has no partner, And of this I have been commanded, and I am one of the Muslims [Abun-Nadr said: and I am the first of the Muslims]. O Allah, there is no god but You. You are my Lord and I am Your slave. I have wronged myself and I admit my sin, so forgive me all my sins, for no one can forgive sins except You. Guide me to the best of conduct, for none can guide to that except You and divert from me bad conduct, for no one can divert it from me except You. Blessed and exalted are You, I seek Your forgiveness and I repent to You.” When he bowed, he said: `O Allah, to You I have bowed, in You I have believed and to You I have submitted. My hearing my sight, my brain, my bones and my sinews submit to You.` When he rose from bowing he said: `Allah hears those who praise Him. Our Lord, to You be praise, filling the heavens, the earth and that which is between them and filling whatever else You will besides.” When he prostrated he said: “O Allah, to You I have prostrated, in You I have believed and to You I have submitted. My face has prostrated to the One Who created it, shaped it and gave it a good shape, and opened its hearing and sight. Blessed be Allah, the Best of creators.` Then he after said the salam at the end of the prayer: `O Allah, forgive me my past and future sins, what I have done in secret and what I have done openly, what I have transgressed and what You know more than I. You are the One Who brings forward and the One Who puts back, there is no god but You.`

‘Ali said that when the Prophet stood up for prayer (a version saying, when he began the prayer) he said the takbir, then said, “I have turned my face as a hanif* towards Him who created the heavens and the earth, and I am not a polytheist. My prayer and my devotion, my life and my death belong to God the Lord of the universe, who has no partner. That is what I have been commanded, and I am a Muslim. O God, Thou art the King. There is no god but Thee. Thou art my Lord and I am Thy servant. I have wronged myself, but I acknowledge my sin, so forgive me all my sins, Thou who alone canst forgive sins; and guide me to the best qualities, Thou who alone canst guide to the best of them; and turn me from evil ones, Thou who alone canst turn from evil qualities. I come to serve and please Thee. All good is in Thy hands and evil does not pertain to Thee. I seek refuge in Thee and turn to Thee, who art blessed and exalted. I ask Thy forgiveness and turn to Thee in repentance.” When he bowed he said, “O God, to Thee I bow, in Thee I trust, and to Thee I submit myself. My hearing, my sight, my brain, my bone and my sinews humble themselves before Thee.” When he raised his head he said, “O God, to Thee belongs praise in the whole of the heavens and the earth and what is between them, and in whatever Thou createst afterwards.” When he prostrated himself he said, “O God, to Thee I prostrate myself, in Thee I trust, and to Thee I submit myself. My face has prostrated itself before Him who created it, fashioned it, and brought forth its hearing and seeing. Blessed is God, the best of creators.” Then at the end of what he said between uttering the tahiyat and the taslim was, “O God, forgive me my former and latter sins, my open and my secret sins, my sins of negligence, and what Thou knowest better than I. Thou art He who puts forward and puts back. There is no god but Thee.” * A believer in one God. Cf. Al-Qur’an; 3:95; 22:31; 98:5. Muslim transmitted it. A version by Shafi‘i has, “Evil does not pertain to Thee, and the one who is guided is he whom Thou guidest. I seek refuge in Thee and turn to Thee. There is no shelter from Thee and no place of refuge except by having recourse to Thee who art blessed.”

when the Messenger of Allah would stand for the obligatory prayer, he would raise his hands to the level of his shoulder, and he would do this [also] when he finished his recitation and intended to bow, and he would do it when he raised his head from Ruku`, and he would not raise his hands in any of his prayers while he was seated. When he would rise from the two prostrations, he would likewise raise his hands, and say the Takbir, and when he opened his Salat after the Takbir, he would say: “I have directed my face towards the One who has created the heavens and the earth, as a Hanif, and I am not of the idolaters. Indeed, my Salat, my sacrifice, my living, my dying, is for Allah, the Lord of all that exists, without partner, and with this have I been ordered and I am of the Muslims. O Allah, You are the King, there is none worthy of worship except You. Glorified are You, You are My Lord, and I am Your slave, I have wronged myself and I admit to my sin, so forgive me all my sins, verily, there is none who forgives sins but You, and guide me to the best of manners, none guides to the best of them except You, and turn away from me the evil of them, none turns away from me the evil of them except You, I am here in Your obedience and aiding Your cause, and I am reliant upon You and ever-turning towards You, [and] there is no refuge from You nor hiding place from You except (going) to You, I seek Your forgiveness, and I repent to you (Wajjahtu wajhiya lilladhī faṭaras-samāwāti wal-arḍa ḥanīfan wa mā ana min al-mushrikīn, inna ṣalātī wa nusukī wa maḥyāya wa mamātī lillāhi rabbil-`ālamīn, lā sharīka lahū wa bidhālika umirtu wa ana min al-muslimīn. Allāhumma antal-maliku lā ilāha illā ant, subḥānaka anta rabbī, wa ana `abduka ẓalamtu nafsī wa`taraftu bidhanbī faghfirlī dhunūbī jamī`an, innahū lā yaghfir adh-dhunūba illā ant. Wahdinī li-aḥsanil-akhlāqi lā yahdī li-aḥsanihā illā ant. Waṣrif `annī sayyi’ahā lā yaṣrifu `annī sayyi’aha illā ant. Labaika wa sa`daika, wa ana bika wa ilaika, [wa] lā manjā minka wa lā malja’a illā ilaik, astaghfiruka wa atūbu ilaik).” Then he would recite, then when he would bow, his speech in his Ruku`, would be to say: “O Allah, to You have I bowed, and in You have I believed, and to You have I submitted (in Islam), and You are my Lord. My hearing, my sight, my brain and my bones are humbled to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds ...

“I have turned my face in submission to the One Who originated the heavens and the earth, as a monotheist and I am not one of the mushrikeen. Verily, my Salah (prayer), my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of the Alameen (mankind, jinn and all that exists). He has no partner. And of this I have been commanded, and I am the first of the Muslims, O Allah, You are the Sovereign, there is no god but You. You are my Lord and I am Your slave. I have wronged myself and I admit my sin, so forgive me all my sins, for no one can forgive sins except You. O Allah, guide me to the best of conduct, for none can guide to that except You; divert from me the worst of conduct, for none can divert it except You. Here I am at Your service, all goodness is in Your hand and evil cannot be attributed to You. My existence is due to You and my return is to You. Blessed and exalted are You, I seek Your forgiveness and I repent to You.` When he bowed, he said: `O Allah, to You I have bowed, in You I have believed and to You I have submitted. My hearing, my sight, my brain, my bones and my sinews submit to You.` When he rose from bowing he said: “Allah hears the one who praises Him. O Allah our Lord, to You be praise, filling the heavens, filling the earth, filling that which is between them and filling whatever else You will besides.` When he prostrated he said: “O Allah, to You I have prostrated, in You I have believed and to You I have submitted. My face has prostrated to the One Who created it and gave it shape and gave it the best of shapes, and opened its hearing and sight, Blessed be Allah, the Best of creators.` When he had finished praying he said: `O Allah, forgive me my past and future sins, what I have done in secret and what I have done openly, what I have transgressed and what You know more than I. You are the One who brings forward and the One Who puts back, there is no god but You.` `Abdullah said: We heard from Ishaq bin Rahawaih, from an-Nadr bin Shumail, that he said concerning this hadeeth, instead of, `evil cannot be attributed to You,” he said: Evil cannot be used to draw close to You. It was narrated from `Ali bin Abi Talib (رضي الله عنه), from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), that When he began to pray, he said takbeer, then he said, `I have turned my face.` - and he narrated a similar report, ...