Al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 448 — The opening supplication and other matters

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: I was sitting with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) in Masjid al-Khayf when two men came to him, one of the Ansar and the other from Thaqif. Then the narrator mentioned the full hadith, in which it is stated that the man from Thaqif said: "O Messenger of Allah, tell me about the matter I have come to ask you about." He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "You have come to ask me about the prayer." Then he (peace and blessings be upon him) said (explaining the prayer in detail): "Then, when you stand for the prayer, recite whatever is easy for you of the Qur'an. Then, when you bow, place your hands firmly on your knees and spread your fingers (over your knees) until you are calm and settled in bowing. Then, when you prostrate, place your face firmly on the place of prostration until you are settled in prostration. And pray in the first part of the night and in its last part." The man said: "Tell me, what if I pray the whole night?" He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Then you are truly the one who has reached perfection."
In the chain of this hadith, Isma'il bin Rafi' is a weak narrator; however, other authentic hadith also emphasise the performance of the basic pillars of the prayer and calmness in it. This narration is found in the Musnad of Musaddad and in al-Matalib al-'Aliyah (448).