Hazrat Mu'adh (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that once, at night, the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) began to pray, and in it he performed bowing, prostration, and standing with great excellence. I mentioned this to the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), so he said, "Yes! This was a prayer of encouragement and warning. In this prayer, I asked my Lord for three things, of which He granted me two and refused one. I requested my Lord not to destroy my ummah by drowning them in the sea, and He accepted this request of mine. Then I requested Him not to impose an external enemy upon them, so He also accepted this request of mine. Then I requested my Lord not to divide us into different sects, but He did not accept this request of mine."