Hazrat Abu Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), who was a man from the tribe of Banu Kahil, narrates that Hazrat Abu Musa Ash'ari addressed us and said: One day, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) addressed us and said: O people! Beware of shirk (associating partners with Allah), for surely it is more hidden than the sound of an ant's footsteps. So whoever wanted to ask, asked: O Messenger of Allah, how can we protect ourselves from it when it is more hidden than the sound of an ant's footsteps? The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Recite these words: O Allah! We seek refuge in You from associating anything with You knowingly, and we seek Your forgiveness for what we do not know.