Chapter on the Manner of Prayer, Explanation of the Fifty-One Rak‘ahs; The Order, Recitation, Tasbih in Bowing and Prostration, Qunut, and What is Obligatory and Recommended Therein

Muhammad ibn Ya‘qub from Ali ibn Muhammad from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ahmad ibn Abdul-Aziz, who said: One of our companions narrated to me, saying: Abu al-Hasan al Awwal (the First) عليه السلام, peace be upon him, when He عليه السلام raised his head from the final rak‘ah of the Witr prayer, used to say: "This is the position of one whose good deeds are a blessing from You, and whose gratitude is weak, and whose sin is great, and there is no refuge for that except in Your عز وجل gentleness and Your عز وجل mercy. For indeed, You عز وجل said in Your عز وجل revealed Book, which was sent down upon Your عز وجل sent Prophet, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family: ‘They used to sleep but little of the night, and in the hours before dawn they would seek forgiveness’ (Surah Dhariyat 51:17–18). My sleep has been long, and my standing (in prayer) has been little, and now is the time before dawn, and I am seeking Your عز وجل forgiveness for my sins, seeking forgiveness like one who finds no harm or benefit for his own self, nor death, nor life, nor resurrection." Then He عليه السلام would fall into prostration.