Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 37827 — The words of Umar bin Abd al-Aziz

It is narrated from Salih bin Sa'id, the muezzin, that he said: I was with Umar bin Abd al-Aziz (may Allah have mercy on him) at al-Suwayda. I gave the call to prayer for Isha, and he prayed, then went into the palace. He had stayed only a short time when he came out, prayed two light rak'ahs, and then sat with his knees drawn up (in the posture of ihtiba). He began reciting Surah al-Anfal, and he (may Allah have mercy on him) kept repeating and reciting Surah al-Anfal. Whenever he passed a verse of warning he humbly implored, and whenever he passed a verse of mercy he made supplication, until I gave the call to prayer for Fajr.