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