[Explanation]

This narration is one of the prescribed morning-and-evening remembrances. It is the report of Ibn Masʿūd (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet ﷺ, when nightfall came, would say: “We have entered the evening and the dominion belongs to Allah. All praise is due to Allah. There is no deity but Allah alone with no partner. His is the dominion and His is the praise, and He is over all things able.” We have already explained the meanings of these words.

The Prophet ﷺ was profuse in remembering Allah, employing a variety of formulations. Among them are his words: “There is no deity but Allah alone with no partner. His is the dominion and His is the praise, and He is over all things able. Lord, I ask You for the good that is in this night and the good that comes after it, and I seek refuge in You from the evil that is in this night and the evil that comes after it. Lord, I seek refuge in You from laziness, from decrepitude, and from the wretchedness of old age”—in another wording: “and from the wretchedness of old age”—“and I seek refuge in You from punishment in the Fire and punishment in the grave.” When morning arrived he would recite the same invocation but would begin with: “We have entered the morning and the dominion belongs to Allah.”

Whoever wishes to increase his share of these remembrances should consult al-Adhkar by the author, Imam al-Nawawi (d. 676 AH), al-Wabil al-Sayyib min al-Kalām al-Tayyib by Ibn al-Qayyim (d. 751 AH), or other works compiled by the scholars in this field. Allah is the giver of success.

1456 — ʿAbdullāh ibn Khabīb, with the khāʾ pronounced with a ḍammah (may Allah be pleased with him), reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to me, “Recite ‘Say: He is Allah, the One,’ and the two chapters of refuge, when you enter the evening and when you enter the morning, three times; they will suffice you against everything.” Reported by Abū Dāwūd and al-Tirmidhi, who said: “A hadith graded ḥasan ṣaḥīḥ (good and sound).”