When he was silent from raising his voice in speech, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, used to supplicate quietly during his silence between the first takbir and the recitation.

Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would say the (opening) takbeer in prayer, he would remain silent between the takbeer and the recitation. I said to him, "May my parents be sacrificed for you, tell me, what is your silence between the takbeer and the recitation?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: I recite this supplication «‏‏‏‏اللَّهُمَّ بَاعِدْ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ خَطَايَايَ كَمَا بَاعَدْتَ بَيْنَ الْمَشْرِقِ وَالْمَغْرِبِ، اللَّهُمَّ نَقِّنِي مِنْ خَطَايَايَ كَمَا يُنَقَّى الثَّوْبُ الأَبْيَضُ مِنْ الدَّنَسِ، اللَّهُمَّ اغْسِلْنِي مِنْ خَطَايَايَ بِالْمَاءِ وَالثَّلْجِ وَالْبَرَدِ» ‏‏‏‏ "O Allah, distance me from my sins as You have distanced the East from the West. O Allah, purify me of my sins as a white garment is purified of dirt. O Allah, wash away my sins with water, snow, and hail."