Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) would remain silent between the opening takbeer (takbir-e-tahrimah) and the recitation (qira’ah). I said to him: May my parents be sacrificed for you, tell me what you recite during the silence between the takbeer and the recitation? He replied: I recite this supplication: O Allah! Place a distance between me and my sins as You have placed a distance between the east and the west. O Allah! Cleanse me of my sins as a white garment is cleansed of dirt. O Allah! Wash away my sins with snow, water, and hail.