Hazrat Abu Huraira narrates that when the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) would say the takbeer for prayer, he would remain silent for a short while between the takbeer and the recitation. Abu Huraira says: I asked him, "May my parents be sacrificed for you, I see you remain silent between the takbeer and the recitation, please tell me what you recite during that time?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) replied: "I recite this supplication: O Allah! Place a distance between me and my sins as great as the distance You have made between the East and the West. O Allah! Purify me of my sins as a white garment is cleansed of dirt. O Allah! Wash away my sins with water, snow, and hail."