Of the invocations reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him) during prostration is the Hadith that was reported in Sahih Muslim on the authority of `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her): "One night I missed Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) from the bed, and when I sought him, my hand touched the soles of his feet while he was in the state of prostration; they (feet) were raised and he was saying: Allahumma A`udhu Biridaka Min Sakhatik Wabimu`afatika Min `Uqubatika Wa A`udhu Bika Mink, La Uhsy Thana'an `Alayk Anta Kama Athnayta `Ala Nafsik [O Allah, I seek refuge in Your Pleasure from Your Anger, and in Your Forgiveness from Your Punishment, and I seek refuge in You from You (Your Anger). I cannot reckon Your Praise. You are as You have lauded Yourself]." [Sahih Muslim, No. 486].

This great Hadith indicates that there is no way out from Allah except by resorting to Him, and there is no shelter from Him except in Him because all matters are in His Hands and lifetimes of people are in His Hand. So, the whole matter is due to Allah, praise be to Him, the dominion is in His Hand, and all goodness is in His Hand. There is no lord except Him, no creator except Him, a created being does not possess for himself or for others harm, benefit, death, life, or anything because the entire matter is to Allah alone.

As for the Prophet's saying in this invocation: "I cannot reckon Your Praise. You are as You have lauded Yourself," it contains recognition that the glory, greatness, the perfection of Allah's Names and Attributes are greater than being counted by anyone and no one can praise Him as should for His Bounties.

Of the invocations that are said during prostration is the Hadith that was reported by Imam Muslim in his Sahih on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to say in his prostration: "Allahumma Ighfir li Dhanby kullah: Diqqahu wa jullah, wa 'Awwalahu wa 'Akhirah, wa `Alaniyatahu wa Sirrah (O Allah! Forgive all my sins: The small and the great, first and the last, the open and the secret)." [Sahih Muslim, No. 483].

As for the Prophet's saying: "Forgive all my sins," this generality is to include all sins whether a person knows them or not, especially this request is accompanied by humbleness, showing servitude and need to Him. So, it was proper to say the kinds of Adhkar of which a person repents in details, therefore he said: The small and the great, first and the last, the open and the secret which is better than summary and abridgment.

There is a pillar to be performed between the two prostrations which is sitting, and during which an invocation is said: It is asking Allah for pardon, mercy, guidance, good health, and sustenance because these things include the goodness of the world and well as the goodness of the Hereafter and pushing away evils.

Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to say between the two prostrations: "Rabi-Ighfir Li, Rabi-Igfir Li [O Lord, forgive me! O Lord, forgive me!]." [Sunan Abu Dawud, No. 874, and scholar Al Albany (may Allah bestow mercy on him) graded it as authentic in Sahih Abu Dawud, No. 777].

That means the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to repeat this supplication frequently not one time or two.

Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "Allahumma Ighfir Li Warhamny Wajburny W`afny Wahdini Warzuqny [The Prophet (may Allah be pleased with him) made this supplication between two prostrations: O Allah, forgive me, have mercy on me, compensate me, guide me and provide for me]." [Sunan Abu Dawud, No. 850, Sunan At-Tirmidhy, No. 482, and Al Albany (may Allah bestow mercy on his soul) graded it as authentic in Sahih Abu Dawud, No. 657].

Asking for pardon includes safety of the evil of sins.

Asking for mercy includes bringing about goodness, kindness, and benevolence.

Asking Allah for compensation includes fulfilling a person's needs and compensate the missed goodness for him.

Asking for good health includes safety from diseases, trials, and afflictions.

Asking for guidance includes reaching the gates of happiness and success in the world and in the Hereafter.

And asking for sustenance includes the power of the body [food and drink] and the heart [knowledge and faith].

So, this great permissible invocation includes all principles of happiness, all gates of goodness, all ways of success in this world and in the Hereafter; so how wonderful invocations are those and how inclusive they are!

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