Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrates: I spent one night at the house of my maternal aunt, Ummul Momineen Hazrat Maymunah. I heard the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) supplicating in prostration: O Allah! Place light in my heart, and place light in my ears, and place light in my eyes, and grant me light in front of me and grant me light behind me, and make beneath me all light, and grant me a great light.

Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) says: The most beloved phrase to Allah is this: that His servant says these words while in the state of prostration: I have wronged myself, so forgive me.

Hazrat Mujahid narrates that Hazrat Abu Sa'id Khudri said: When a person, in the state of prostration, places his forehead before Allah and then says these words three times: "O my Sustainer! Forgive me. O my Sustainer! Forgive me. O my Sustainer! Forgive me." Then, when he raises his head from prostration, he is forgiven.

Hazrat Asim narrates: Hazrat Abu Wa'il used to supplicate in prostration as follows: O my Master! If You forgive me, then this forgiveness will be due to Your kindness, and if You punish me, then in punishing me, You will neither be unjust nor will You inflict excessive punishment. Then Hazrat Abu Wa'il would begin to weep.

Hazrat Abdullah bin Yazid Damishqi narrates that Hazrat Abu Darda said: One night I entered the mosque, and as I entered, I passed by a man who was in prostration, making this supplication: O Allah! I am fearful, seeking refuge, so grant me refuge from Your punishment, and I am a beggar, asking, so grant me sustenance from Your mercy, and I am not free from sins, so accept my excuse, and I am not strong, so protect me from the oppressors, but I am one who seeks forgiveness after sinning. Then Hazrat Abu Darda began to teach this supplication to his students because he liked it.

Hazrat Muharib bin Dithar narrates that Hazrat Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) said: When any one of you performs prostration, he should say these words: O my Lord! I have wronged myself, so forgive me. Hazrat Muharib says: Because a person is closest to Allah in this state.

Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates: One night I searched for the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) but did not find him. Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) says: I thought perhaps he had gone to one of his slave girls or wives. Then I found him in the state of prostration, and he was reciting this supplication: O Allah! Forgive me for those deeds which I have done secretly or openly.