Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates: When the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, would say the takbeer in prayer, he would remain silent for a short while before reciting (Qur'an). I asked: O Messenger of Allah! May my parents be sacrificed for you. What is the reason for your silence between the takbeer and the recitation? The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said: I say this: "O Allah! Place a distance between me and my sins as You have placed a distance between the East and the West. O Allah! Purify me of sins as a white garment is cleansed of dirt. O Allah! Wash away my sins with water, hail, and snow."