and because of the magnitude of this matter and its lofty status, he reinforced it with the words, “alone, with no partner.” The word “alone” reinforces the affirmation, while “with no partner” reinforces the negation. This is emphasis upon emphasis, underscoring the importance of affirming Allah’s oneness and elevating its status.
Having affirmed Allah’s oneness, he followed this by acknowledging His dominion, His right to all praise, and His power over all things, saying: “His is the dominion, His is all praise, and He has power over all things.” All dominion belongs to Allah, and in His hand, Glorified be He, is the absolute dominion over all things. All praise belongs to Him: He owns it and deserves it. He, Glorified be He, has power over all things, and nothing lies beyond His power: “Nothing in the heavens or on earth can escape Allah. He is indeed All-Knowing, All-Powerful.” 1.
Placing this statement before the supplication carries tremendous benefit: it lends greater force to the supplication and gives greater hope that it will be answered. He then began to state what he sought and needed, saying: “My Lord, I ask You for the good of this night and the good that follows it.” That is: I ask You for all the good that You have willed to befall Your righteous servants during this night, including outward and inward forms of excellence and benefits pertaining to religion and worldly life. “And the good that follows it” means the good of the nights that follow it.
“And I seek refuge in You from the evil of this night and the evil that follows it.” That is: I seek Your protection and turn to You for refuge from whatever evil You have willed to occur during it, whether outward or inward.
Regarding his words, “My Lord, I seek refuge in You from laziness and the infirmities of old age,” laziness means that the soul fails to stir itself toward good despite being evidently capable of it. A person in this condition is not excused, unlike one who is incapable, for such a person is excused because he lacks the ability. The “infirmities of old age” means what advanced age may bring about, such as loss of reason, confused judgment, and other conditions that cause a person’s state to deteriorate.