Imam Ahmad recorded that `Irbad bin Sariyah said that the Messenger of Allah used to recite Al-Musabbihat before he went to sleep, saying,

«إِنَّ فِيهِنَّ آيَةً أَفْضَلُ مِنْ أَلْفِ آيَة»

(In them there is an Ayah that is better than a thousand Ayat.) Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi and An-Nasa'i collected this Hadith; At-Tirmidhi said, "Hasan Gharib.'' The Ayah referred to in this Hadith is -- and Allah knows best --

﴿هُوَ الاٌّوَّلُ وَالاٌّخِرُ وَالظَّـهِرُ وَالْبَـطِنُ وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمٌ ﴾

(He is Al-Awwal and Al-Akhir, Az-Zahir and Al-Batin. And He is the All-Knower of everything.)(57:3) Allah willing, we will again mention this subject. Upon Allah we trust and our total reliance and dependence are on Him, and sufficient He is to us as Supporter and Helper.

﴿بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـنِ الرَّحِيمِ﴾

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

﴿سَبَّحَ للَّهِ مَا فِى السَّمَـوتِ وَالاْرْضِ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ- لَهُ مُلْكُ السَّمَـوتِ وَالاْرْضِ يُحْىِ وَيُمِيتُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلّ شَىْء قَدِيرٌ- هُوَ الاْوَّلُ وَالاْخِرُ وَالظَّـهِرُ وَالْبَـطِنُ وَهُوَ بِكُلّ شَىْء عَلِيمٌ-﴾

(1. Whatever is in the heavens and the earth glorifies Allah -- and He is the Almighty, All-Wise.) (2. His is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. It is He Who gives life and causes death; and He is Able to do all things.) (3. He is Al-Awwal and Al-Akhir, Az-Zahir and Al-Batin. And He is the All-Knower of everything.)