بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
After the opening takbir of prayer and before beginning recitation of Al-Fatihah, the Sunnah preserves not one but six distinct opening supplications (du'a al-istiftah) — a fact that surprises many practicing Muslims who were only ever taught a single version. Understanding why six exist, and how they were used, resolves a common point of confusion for those newly studying the fiqh of prayer.
Why Six Different Openings Exist
Hadith scholars are clear that these are not six required components said together, but six independently authenticated narrations of what the Prophet ﷺ himself said to open his prayer on different occasions. A worshipper says one of them per prayer — varying between them is itself following the Sunnah, since the Prophet ﷺ is not reported to have restricted himself to only one.
Opening (1): Complete Purification from Sin
Arabic: اللّهُمَّ باعِدْ بَيني وَبَيْنَ خَطايايَ كَما باعَدْتَ بَيْنَ المَشْرِقِ وَالمَغْرِبْ…
Translation: "O Allah, separate me from my sins as You have separated the East from the West. O Allah, cleanse me of my transgressions as the white garment is cleansed of stains. O Allah, wash away my sins with ice and water and frost."
Reference: Hisn al-Muslim 27; Sahih al-Bukhari 1/181; Sahih Muslim 1/419.
Recorded in both Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, this is likely the most widely taught of the six, built on three vivid metaphors for the removal of sin: physical distance, the cleansing of a white garment, and washing with ice, water and frost — an image emphasizing thoroughness rather than literal temperature.
Opening (2): A Short Glorification
Arabic: سُبْحانَكَ اللّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ وَتَبارَكَ اسْمُكَ وَتَعالى جَدُّكَ وَلا إِلهَ غَيْرُك
Translation: "Glory is to You O Allah, and praise. Blessed is Your Name and Exalted is Your Majesty. There is none worthy of worship but You."
Reference: Hisn al-Muslim 28; Sunan Abu Dawud; Sunan Ibn Majah; Sunan an-Nasa'i; Jami' at-Tirmidhi; Al-Albani, Sahih at-Tirmidhi 1/77.
Considerably shorter than the first, this version is widely used precisely for its brevity, making it a common choice for congregational prayer where a long individual opening is less practical before the imam continues.
Opening (3): Complete Submission (from Surah Al-An'am)
Translation (excerpt): "I have turned my face sincerely towards He who has brought forth the heavens and the Earth… Indeed my prayer, my sacrifice, my life and my death are for Allah, Lord of the worlds, no partner has He…"
Reference: Hisn al-Muslim 29; Sahih Muslim 1/534.
This opening draws directly on Qur'anic language (cf. Al-An'am 6:79, 6:162-163), extending the frame of the prayer to encompass the worshipper's entire life and death, not only the rak'ahs about to be performed.
Opening (4): Specific to Tahajjud
Translation (excerpt): "O Allah, Lord of Jibrail, Mikail and Israfil, Creator of the heavens and the Earth, Knower of the seen and the unseen. You are the arbitrator between Your servants. Guide me to the truth by Your leave…"
Reference: Hisn al-Muslim 30; Sahih Muslim 1/534.
Narrated from the practice of the Prophet ﷺ specifically in the night voluntary prayer (tahajjud), this opening names three archangels and asks specifically for guidance amid matters of scholarly or doctrinal difference — a fitting supplication for a prayer often performed by those seeking clarity in worship or life.
Opening (5): Threefold Takbir, Tahmid and Tasbih
Translation (excerpt): "Allah is the Greatest, Most Great (3x). Praise is to Allah, abundantly (3x). Glory is to Allah, at the break of day and at its end (3x). I seek refuge in Allah from Satan…"
Reference: Hisn al-Muslim 31; Sunan Abu Dawud 1/203; Sunan Ibn Majah 1/265; Musnad Ahmad 4/85; Sahih Muslim 1/420.
Distinctive for its repeated threefold structure, this opening was reported by a Companion who noticed a man reciting it and was told by the Prophet ﷺ that he had seen twelve angels competing to raise it to Allah ﷻ — a narration recorded with the takbir, tahmid and tasbih repeated three times each.
Opening (6): Light and Truth
Translation (excerpt): "O Allah, praise is to You. You are the Light of the heavens and the earth and all they contain… You are the Truth and Your Promise is true… O Allah, to You I have submitted, and upon You I depend…"
Reference: Hisn al-Muslim 32; Sahih al-Bukhari 3/3, 11/116, 13/371; Sahih Muslim 1/532.
Also used by the Prophet ﷺ in tahajjud, this is among the longest and most theologically dense of the six, naming Allah ﷻ as Light, Truth, Sovereign, and the source of all guidance in a single sustained address.
How to Choose
Since all six are authentically established, a worshipper is not bound to a single version. Many students of hadith rotate between them deliberately — the first for its brevity and familiarity, the third and sixth for tahajjud and moments of longer, unhurried prayer, and the fifth or second when praying in congregation.
Reflection: That the Sunnah preserves six distinct openings rather than one is itself instructive: even the words that begin the most repeated act of worship in a Muslim's life were never meant to be recited by rote alone, but chosen with awareness of their meaning.
References cited: Hisn al-Muslim 27-32; Sahih al-Bukhari 1/181, 3/3, 11/116, 13/371; Sahih Muslim 1/419, 1/420, 1/532, 1/534; Sunan Abu Dawud; Sunan Ibn Majah; Musnad Ahmad; Jami' at-Tirmidhi; Sunan an-Nasa'i.
Written by Fahmina Jawed (Aafiya).
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