“Go and pray.” So the man went and prayed, and then he remembered, because the Messenger ﷺ informed us that Satan says to a person while he is praying, “Remember such-and-such.” (1)

Thus Abu Hanifah, may Allah have mercy on him, inferred from this hadith that prayer is a means of remembering.

The point is that seeking forgiveness after the salam serves a tremendous purpose: it remedies one’s shortcomings and deficiencies in the prayer. So we ask Allah for forgiveness. For this reason, it is recommended that a person conclude his deeds with seeking forgiveness, and that he conclude his life with seeking forgiveness. As for one’s life, Allah the Exalted said to His Messenger ﷺ:

“When Allah’s help and victory come, and you see people entering Allah’s religion in multitudes, then glorify the praises of your Lord and seek His forgiveness. Indeed, He is ever Accepting of repentance.” [Surah al-Nasr]

Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “This was the announcement of the Messenger’s ﷺ approaching death.” Umar said, “I understand from it only what you have said.” (2)

The Prophet ﷺ said: “My Lord informed me that I would see a sign among my nation; when I saw it, I would frequently say, ‘Glory be to Allah and all praise is His; I seek Allah’s forgiveness and repent to Him.’ I have indeed seen it: ‘When Allah’s help and victory come’—the conquest of Makkah—‘and you see people entering Allah’s religion in multitudes, then glorify the praises of your Lord and seek His forgiveness. Indeed, He is ever Accepting of repentance.’” (3)

Thus Allah’s help and the victory came, and he saw the sign. Therefore, after that, he ﷺ would frequently