Abu Salamah (may Allah be pleased with him) says: I asked Umm al-Mu'mineen, Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), how did the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) begin his prayer when he would wake up at night? She replied: When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would wake up, he would say Takbeer and say: O Allah! O Lord of Jibreel, Mika'eel, and Israfeel! Creator of the heavens and the earth! Knower of the unseen and the seen! You alone judge between Your servants concerning that wherein they differ. Guide me, by Your permission, to the truth concerning that wherein they differ, for surely You guide whom You will to the straight path.

Abu Salamah (may Allah be pleased with him) says: When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would wake up at night, he would recite this supplication: O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the evil suggestions, the blowing, and the spitting of the accursed Shaytaan. And he used to say: You should also seek refuge in Allah from these. The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) asked: O Messenger of Allah! What is meant by the evil suggestions, the blowing, and the spitting of Shaytaan? The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) replied: "Evil suggestions" means death that comes to the children of Adam, "blowing" means arrogance, and "spitting" means poetry.