Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

Hazrat Ubayy bin Ka'b narrates that whenever the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed for someone, he would begin with himself. So one day, he (peace and blessings be upon him) mentioned Hazrat Musa and said: May Allah's mercy be upon us and upon Musa. If he had been patient, Allah would have told us more about his story, but he said: If I ask you about anything after this, then do not keep me with you. Indeed, you have received an excuse from me.

Ibrahim says that it is said: Whenever you make a supplication, start with yourself, because you do not know which of your supplications will attain the degrees of acceptance.

Ibrahim narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: May Allah have mercy on us and on Hud, the brother of 'Ad.

Hazrat Saeed bin Yasar narrates: I was sitting with Hazrat Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them), and I mentioned a man and prayed for Allah’s mercy for him. So Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) struck my chest and said: Begin with your own self.

Hazrat Abu Darda Ansari narrates: Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said to her nephew: Surely, you supplicating for yourself is much better than a preacher supplicating for you.