is true; the Hour is true (1), the prophets are true, and Muhammad is true (2).
O Allah! To You I have submitted, upon You I rely, in You I believe, to You I turn in repentance (3), and by Your help I contend (4), and to You I refer judgment; 2 [You are our Lord, and to You is the return. So forgive me for what I have sent ahead and what I have left behind, what I have concealed and what I have made public], 3 [and whatever You know about me better than I do]. You are the One who brings forward and the One who defers, 4 [You are my God]; there is no deity but You, 5 [and there is no power nor strength except through You].
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to recite this during the night prayer, in the following variations (5):
(1) That is: the Day of Resurrection; the original meaning of saʿah ("hour") is simply a span of time.
(2) He is mentioned separately to exalt him, and is coupled with “the prophets” to signal that he surpasses them through unique attributes. The wording even treats him grammatically as though he were someone other than himself, and requires belief in him and affirmation of him, as an emphatic confirmation of his prophethood—just as in the tashahhud. This was noted by al-Hafiz.
(3) Meaning: I obeyed and returned to Your worship—that is, I turned fully toward it.
(4) Meaning: by the proof You have granted me and the argument You have taught me.
(5) This does not preclude its legitimacy in the obligatory prayers as well, as is evident—except for the imam, lest he prolong the prayer for those following him.