Silsilat al-Ahadith al-Sahihah

Sayyiduna Suhaib (may Allah be pleased with him) says: When the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to pray, he would quietly say some words; I neither understood them nor did the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) tell us. (One day) he asked: "Did you notice that I say some words?" We said: "Yes." He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "I remembered a prophet to whom several armies from his people were given. Out of pride over his nation, he said: 'Who is there who can match them? Or who is there who can face them?' Or he said something similar. (In one narration, only these words are mentioned: 'Who is there who can face them?') Allah, the Exalted, revealed to him: 'Choose one of three things for your people: We will impose their enemy over your nation, or famine, or death.' He consulted his people. They said: 'You are Allah's prophet; the matter is up to you, so you choose.' He began to pray; whenever they were distressed, they would resort to prayer. He prayed as much as Allah willed, then said: 'O my Lord, do not impose their enemy over them, nor famine; let it be death.' So Allah imposed death upon them; in one day, seventy thousand of them died. That was my murmuring, as you saw. I said: 'O Allah! I seek protection by Your help, I attack by Your help, and I fight by Your help.'"