among those who associate partners with Allah. Indeed, my prayer, my worship, my life, and my death are for Allah, Lord of the worlds. He has no partner. This I have been commanded, and I am the first of the Muslims. O Allah, You are the King; there is no god but You. You are my Lord, and I am Your servant. I have wronged myself and acknowledged my sin, so forgive all my sins (1), for none forgives sins but You. Guide me to the finest character, for none guides to it but You. Keep bad character away from me, for none keeps it away from me but You. I answer Your call and obey Your command, time and again. Good is in Your hands, and evil is not ascribed to You. I depend on You and turn to You. Blessed and exalted are You. I seek Your forgiveness and repent to You” (2).
However, what is reliably established is that he recited this opening supplication in the night prayer.
At other times he would say:
“O Allah, Lord of Gabriel, Michael, and Isrāfīl, Creator of the heavens and the earth, Knower of the unseen and the seen: You judge between Your servants concerning that over which they differed. By Your permission, guide me to the truth concerning which they have differed, for You guide whom You will to a straight path” (3).
At other times he would say:
“O Allah, to You belongs all praise. You are the Light of the heavens and the earth and all who are in them…” This hadith has already been cited (4); for some of its authentic transmissions relate from Ibn