Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

It is narrated from Hazrat Hudhaifa (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) used to say these words in bowing (ruku): "My Lord is Pure, the Most Great." And in prostration (sajdah) he used to say these words: "My Lord is Pure, the Most High." Ibn Abi Laila says that I said to Hazrat Hafs that he also used to say "and with His praise" along with it, and he replied, "Yes, if Allah willed, he would say it three times." "My Lord is Pure, the Most Great." "My Lord is Pure, the Most High."

Hazrat Hudhaifah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that I performed prayer with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). When he would go into bowing (ruku‘), he would say these words: My Lord is pure, the Magnificent. And when he would go into prostration (sajdah), he would say these words: My Lord is pure, the Most High.

Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with both of them) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: When you bow (in ruku‘), then proclaim the greatness of your Lord in it, and when you prostrate (in sajdah), then make abundant supplication. There is a strong possibility that your supplication will be accepted.

It is narrated from Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: I have been forbidden from reciting the Qur'an in bowing (ruku) and prostration (sajdah). When you bow, then glorify Allah, and when you prostrate, then make abundant supplication, for it is possible that your supplication will be accepted.

Hazrat Ibn Masood says that in bowing (ruku) and prostration (sajdah) there are three tasbihat each.

Hazrat Ibrahim bin Maisarah states that Hazrat Umar used to say "Subhan Allah wa bihamdihi" in bowing and prostration equal to five tasbihs.

Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) says that when any of you performs ruku, he should say these words three times: O Allah! I have bowed for You, I have humbled myself for You, I have believed in You, I have put my trust in You, my Lord is pure, the Most Great. Then when he performed sajdah, he would say these words three times: My Lord is pure, the Most High. If he was in a hurry, he would suffice with this sentence: "My Lord is pure, the Most Great." It is also permissible to suffice with these words.

Hazrat Ishaq bin Abdullah reports that Hazrat Ismail bin Ubaidullah asked Hazrat Abu Hurairah, "I am a one-eyed man; what should we say in the glorification (tasbih) during prostrations?" He replied, "Recite the tasbih three times."

Hazrat Mujahid says that I offered prayer behind Hazrat Umar bin Abdul Aziz. I counted that he recited the tasbihat in ruku four or five times and in sajdah five or six times.

Hazrat Ja'far narrates from his father that a group of firewood gatherers came to the service of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and said, "O Messenger of Allah! We are always on a journey; how should we perform the prayer?" The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Recite three tasbihs in the bowing (ruku) and three tasbihs in the prostrations (sujood)."

Hasan says that the prayer of the person who does not recite the tasbihat in bowing and prostration is devoid of tranquility and is afflicted with haste.

Hasan used to say that the moderate bowing (ruku) and prostration (sajdah) is that a person says "Subhan Allah wa bihamdihi" three times each.

Hasan used to say that a complete prostration is when a person says the tasbih seven times, and a valid prostration is when he says it three times.

Hazrat Muhammad bin Ka'b says that the lowest level of prostration is that you place your forehead on the ground and say "Subhana Rabbi al-A'la" three times.

Hazrat Musayyib bin Rafi asked Ibrahim how many tasbihs are sufficient in prostration. He replied, "Three tasbihs."

Hazrat Ja'far bin Burqan narrates that I asked Hazrat Maymun about the duration of bowing (ruku) and prostration (sajdah), so he replied that it should not be less than the time it takes to recite three tasbihs. Hazrat Ja'far says that I asked Hazrat Zuhri, "If the bones settle and there is calmness and stability, are the pillars (of prayer) not fulfilled?" He replied, "Hazrat Maymun used to say that the duration of three tasbihs is necessary. And what I am telling you is equivalent to that."

Hazrat Ibn Masood says that reciting the tasbih three times in ruku and sujood is a moderate amount.

Hazrat Abu al-Duha states that Hazrat Ali used to say "Subhana Rabbi al-Azeem" three times in bowing (ruku) and "Subhana Rabbi al-A'la" three times in prostrations (sujood).

Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) used to say these words in bowing and prostration: "Allah is very pure, very holy, the Lord of the angels and the Holy Spirit."

Hazrat Ibn Mas'ud narrates that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: When any of you performs ruku', he should say "Subhana Rabbiyal 'Azim" three times. And when he performs sajdah, he should say "Subhana Rabbiyal A'la" three times. When this has been done, then ruku' and sajdah have been performed in a complete manner. And this is their minimum amount.

Hazrat Yahya bin Jazaar narrates that Hazrat Ibn Mas’ud said in his bowing (ruku’): “O my Lord! Forgive me.”