forgive me,” or says, “I seek Allah’s forgiveness,” or says, “My Lord, forgive me.”

However, the author, may Allah have mercy on him, stated in his description of the prayer that one says, “My Lord, forgive me” (1). Accordingly, his words here are to be understood in light of what he stated there, such that forgiveness is sought with the wording, “My Lord, forgive me.” Therefore, if he says, “O Allah, forgive me,” it does not suffice. This is based on understanding these words in reference to what preceded. Yet it may be said that there is no need to relate these words to what preceded; rather, what is meant is seeking forgiveness in any form. Thus, if he says, “O Allah, forgive me,” it suffices, and this is the correct view. The established position of the school (2), however, is that he must say, “My Lord, forgive me”; if he says, “O Allah, forgive me,” it does not suffice.

His statement, “once, once,” means once in each sitting: once in the first sitting and once in the second sitting, and so on.

It is recommended to say it three times; the first tashahhud and its sitting …

His statement, “It is recommended to say it three times,” means that it is recommended to repeat the request for forgiveness three times.

The evidence that it is recommended to say it three times is the hadith of Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman, may Allah be pleased with him. He mentioned that he prayed with the Prophet ﷺ, and that when he sat between the two prostrations, he would repeatedly say, “My Lord, forgive me; my Lord, forgive me” (3). The Prophet’s ﷺ supplications were generally repeated three times.

His statement, “the first tashahhud and its sitting”: these are the seventh and eighth obligatory elements of the prayer.

The first tashahhud is: “All greetings are for Allah, as are all prayers and all good things,”