Narrated Abdullah ibn Khubayb: We went out one rainy and intensely dark night to look for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ to lead us in prayer, and when we found him, he asked: Have you prayed?, but I did not say anything. So he said: Say, but I did not say anything. He again said: Say, but I did not say anything. He then said: Say. So I said: What am I to say? He said: Say: "Say, He is Allah, One, " and al-Mu'awwadhatan thirty three times in the morning and evening; they will serve you for every purpose.

Narrated Uqbah ibn Amir: White I was travelling with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ between al-Juhfah and al-Abwa', a wind and intense darkness enveloped us, whereupon the Messenger of Allah ﷺ began to seek refuge in Allah, reciting: "I seek refuge in the Lord of the dawn, " and "I seek refuge in the Lord of men. " He then said: Uqbah, use them when seeking refuge in Allah, for no one can use anything to compare with them for the purpose. Uqbah added: I heard him reciting them when he led the people in prayer.