Supplication at night: what is it?

Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) said that when the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed Tahajjud at night, he would supplicate thus: "O Allah, to You alone belongs all praise; You are the Light of the heavens and the earth. To You alone belongs all praise; You alone are the Sustainer of the heavens and the earth. To You alone belongs all praise; You alone are the Lord of the heavens and the earth and the Lord of those within them. You alone are the Truth, Your word is true, Paradise is true, the Fire is true, and the Hour is true. O Allah, to You alone have I submitted, in You have I believed, in You have I placed my trust, with Your help alone have I contended (with the enemy), and to You have I brought my case for judgment. So forgive me all that I did before and all that I did after, all that I did in secret and all that I did openly, and You know them better than I do. You alone are the One who brings forward and You alone are the One who holds back. There is no true god but You."

Asim bin Humayd said: I asked Sayyidah Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her): "With what words did the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) begin the night prayer?" Sayyidah Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: "You have asked me about something that no one before you has asked me about." Then she said: "He (peace and blessings be upon him) would say the takbir ten times, praise Allah ten times, declare His purity ten times, and seek forgiveness ten times, and he would supplicate thus: 'O Allah, forgive me, guide me, provide for me, and grant me well-being.' And he (peace and blessings be upon him) would also seek refuge from the narrowness of the place on the Day of Resurrection."

Masruq said: We were with Sayyiduna Abu Musa (may Allah be pleased with him) when the night became very dark, so we took shelter in a ruined orchard. Masruq said: Sayyiduna Abu Musa (may Allah be pleased with him) stood up and began the Tahajjud prayer at night and recited very beautifully. Then he supplicated thus: "O Allah, You are the Giver of safety and faith, and You love the one who gives safety. You are the Guardian, and You love guardianship. You are Peace, and You love peace. You are the Truthful, and You love the one who speaks the truth."

Sayyiduna Rabi'ah bin Ka'b (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I used to spend the night near the door of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and I would hear the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) reciting these words until late into the night: "Allah, the Lord of all the worlds, is free of every defect." Then he would recite these words: "Allah is pure, and I praise and extol Him."