the stirrup he said, “In the name of Allah.” Once he had settled on its back he said, “All praise is for Allah who has subjected this to us when we could never have mastered it on our own, and surely to our Lord we shall return.” He then repeated, “All praise is for Allah” three times, followed by “Allah is greatest” three times. After that he said, “Glory be to You! I have wronged myself, so forgive me, for none forgives sins but You.” Then he laughed. Someone asked, “O Commander of the Believers, what made you laugh?” He answered, “I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ do exactly what I have just done, and then he laughed. So I asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, what made you laugh?’ He replied, ‘Your Lord—glorified is He—marvels at His servant when he says, “Forgive my sins,” knowing that no one forgives sins but Me.’”

It was related by Abū Dāwūd and al-Tirmidhī. Al-Tirmidhī said, “A ḥasan (fair) hadith,” and in some copies, “ḥasan ṣaḥīḥ (fair and sound).” The wording here is that of Abū Dāwūd.

[Explanation]

These two hadiths deal with the supplications and remembrances prescribed when a person mounts his riding animal for travel. We have already clarified the noble verse in which Allah the Exalted says: “…that you may sit firmly on their backs, then remember the favor of your Lord when you have settled upon them and say, ‘Glory be to Him who has subjected this to us, for we could never have mastered it ourselves.’” Likewise, one seeks refuge from the hardships of travel, from depressing scenes, and from an ill return in one’s wealth or family, and he also seeks refuge from