Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) bin Rabi’ah narrates that the Commander of the Faithful seated me behind him on his mount, then proceeded towards the place of Harrah. Then he raised his head towards the sky and recited this supplication: “Forgive my sins, for surely none can forgive sins except You.” Then he turned towards me and began to smile. Upon this, I said, “O Commander of the Faithful! You sought forgiveness for your sins from your Lord, and then turned towards me and smiled—why?” He replied: “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) seated me behind him on his mount, then took me towards the place of Harrah. Then, in the same manner, he raised his head towards the sky and recited this supplication: ‘O Allah! Forgive my sins, for surely none can forgive sins except You.’ Then he turned towards me and began to smile. Upon this, I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him)! You sought forgiveness from your Lord, and then turned towards me and smiled—why?’ He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: ‘I smiled because of my Lord’s smiling, for Allah is amazed at His servant who knows that none can forgive sins except Allah.’”