so that his religious condition may be set right. Was Adam chosen except after his sin and repentance from it? As Allah says:

“Then his Lord chose him, turned to him in forgiveness, and guided him.” [Taha 20:122]

That is, after he sinned and repented, his Lord chose him, accepted his repentance, and guided him. Consider those who remained behind during the expedition of Tabuk: what did they attain? There is no doubt that they attained faith, elevation in rank, and a lofty station such as they had not possessed before. Could verses have been revealed concerning them, to be recited until the Day of Resurrection, had that occurred from them and then they repented to Allah?

The important point is that a person is not immune from error. But the Prophets, peace and blessings be upon them, are protected from what we have indicated, and they are protected from being allowed to persist in minor sins; rather, they must repent from them.

Question: May the various forms of the opening supplication be combined?

Answer: They are not to be combined, because when Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, asked the Prophet ﷺ, he replied that he would say, “O Allah, distance me from my sins …,” and so forth. He did not mention, “Glory be to You, O Allah, and all praise is Yours.” This indicates that they are not to be combined.

These are two forms of the opening supplication. Other forms remain, some of which are exclusive to the night prayer; they may be found in the more extensive works.

Question: Is the opening supplication recited in the funeral prayer? There is a difference of opinion concerning this. (1)

Some scholars said: It is recited, because it is a prayer, and the Prophet ﷺ would recite the opening supplication in the prayer.