Asim bin Humaid narrates: He asked the noble wife of the Prophet (peace be upon him), Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her). He says, I inquired: When the Prophet (peace be upon him) would stand to offer the night prayers (Nawafil), with what would he begin? Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) replied: You have asked me about something that no one before you has ever asked me about. When the Prophet (peace be upon him) would stand to offer the night prayers, he would first say "Allahu Akbar" ten times, then say "Subhan Allah" ten times, then say "Alhamdulillah" ten times, then recite "La ilaha illallah" ten times. Then he would recite "Astaghfirullah" ten times and say: "O Allah! Forgive me, keep me steadfast on guidance, and grant me sustenance." He would also say this ten times. Then he would seek Allah's protection from the distress of the Day of Judgment ten times.