from a scholar, especially concerning supplications for which concise and comprehensive wording is sought.”1 End quote.

Another indication is that the Prophet—may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him—would correct any of them who erred, even in a single word of remembrance or supplication. In the two Sahīhs, al-Barā ibn ʿĀzib—may Allah be pleased with him—reported: “The Messenger of Allah—may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him—said to me: ‘When you go to bed, perform ablution as you would for prayer, then lie on your right side and say: O Allah, I have submitted myself to You, entrusted my affairs to You, and sought support in You, hoping in You and fearing You. There is no refuge or escape from You except in You. I believe in Your Book which You revealed and in Your Prophet whom You sent. If you die, you will die upon the natural disposition of faith. Let these be the last words you say.’ I repeated them to commit them to memory, saying: ‘And in Your Messenger whom You sent.’ He said: ‘No; “and in Your Prophet whom You sent.”’”2

Al-Hāfiz said in al-Fath: “The soundest explanation offered for why the Prophet—may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him—corrected the person who said ‘Messenger’ instead of ‘Prophet’ is that the wording of remembrances is fixed by revelation. Such formulations possess particular qualities and subtleties to which analogical reasoning does not apply; the wording in which they were transmitted must therefore be preserved.”3

Another indication is that a person may choose a particular formulation of supplication for himself, believing it will secure his happiness in this world and the Hereafter, while remaining unaware of the evil or danger it may entail in this world or the Hereafter, whereas the Prophetic supplications