Ali ibn-Rabiah (Rahmtullahi'alihi) narrates : I was present with Ali (Radhi-allahu-anhu) when an animal was brought for him for riding. As he put his foot in the stirrup, he said بِسْمِ اللهِ (Bismillah - in the name of Allah). When he sat on its back, he said الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ (Alhamdulillah - Praise be to Allah), and said
سُبْحَانَ الَّذِيْ سَخَّرَ لَناَ هَذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقرِنِيْنَ وإِنَّا إِلَى رَبِّناَ لمُنْقَلِبُوْنَ
(Glory to Him, Who has made this subservient to us, for we had not the strength to control it, and verily to our Rabb we are to return) He then said thrice الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ (Alhamdulillah - Praise be to Allah) and thrice اللهُ أَكْبَرُ (Allahu Akbar - Allah is Great). Then he said
سُبْحَانكَ الَّلُهمَّ إِنِّيْ ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِيْ فَاغْفِرْلِيْ فَإِنَّهُ لاَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنوْبَ إِلاَّ أَنتَ
(Glory be to You, I have wronged myself, so forgive me, as none except You can forgive) Then he smiled. It was asked O Amirul Mu'minin (Commander of the faithful) What makes you smile? He Said I saw Rasulullah (Sallallahu-alaihi-wassallam) doing as I have done and when he smiled, I asked O Rasulullah! What makes you smile? He replied Your Rabb Ta'ala, is pleased with his servant, when he says: Fogive my sins: as he is well aware that none except Him forgives sins (Translation of Abu Dawud)
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