Remembrance 2 from Chapter 173
What to say when mounting an animal
Bismi-llāh.
Al-ḥamdu li-llāhi-lladhī sakhkhara lanā hādhā wa mā kunnā lahu muqrinīn, wa innā ilā Rabbinā la-munqalibūn.
Al-ḥamdu li-llāh (x3).
Allāhu akbar (x3).
Subḥānaka innī ẓalamtu nafsī fa-ghfir lī, innahu lā yaghfiru-dh-dhunūba illā Ant.
We relate in the books of Abū Dāwūd, at-Tirmidhī and an-Nasā’ī with ṣaḥīḥ isnāds, that ‘Alī ibn Rabī‘ah related that he saw an animal being brought to ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib for him to ride. When he put his foot in the stirrup he said: “In the name of Allah.” When he straightened up on its back he said: “All praise is due to Allah. Glory be to Him Who has subjected this to us, for we could not have accomplished it, and truly to our Lord are we returning.” Then he said: “Praise be to Allah” thrice. Then he said: “Allah is greater” thrice. Then he said: “Glory be to You, I have wronged myself so forgive me. None forgives sins but You.” Then he smiled. Someone asked him: “O Leader of the Believers, what makes you smile?” He said: “I saw the Prophet 
do what I did, and then he smiled. I asked: ‘Messenger of Allah, what is making you smile?’ He replied: ‘Your Lord is pleased with His slave when he says “Forgive me my sins”, knowing that none forgives sins but Him.’” [2].The wording of this version is from Abū Dāwūd. According to at-Tirmidhī this hadith is ḥasan. Elsewhere in some versions, it is said to be ḥasan ṣaḥīḥ.