What did the Prophet Muhammad (saw) say during the period of silence between the takbir and the recitation of the Qur'an?
 Abu Huraira reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) used to observe, silence for a short while between the takbir (at the time of opening the prayer) and the recitation of the Qur'an. I said to him:                      Messenger of Allah, for whom I would give my father and mother in ransom, what do you recite during your period of silence between the takbir and the recitation? He said: I say (these words):" O Allah, remove my sins from me as Thou hast removed the East from the West. O Allah purify me from sins as a white garment is purified from filth. O Allah! wash away my sins with water, snow and hail."