Are bowing and prostration better, or standing?

Sayyiduna Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked: "Which prayer is best?" He said: "Long standing (qunut)."

One of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to stand so long in prayer that his blessed feet would swell. Someone asked him to reduce this, and he said: "Should I not be a grateful servant of Allah?"

The like of this is also reported through another chain, from Sayyiduna al-Mughirah bin Shu'bah (may Allah be pleased with him) from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).

Ibrahim said: Long standing is dearer to me than many bowings and prostrations.

Hajjaj bin Hassan said: I asked Abu Mijlaz about the night prayer (tahajjud): "Is long recitation dearer to you, or many bowings and prostrations?" He said: "Long recitation is dearer to me."

Yahya bin Rafi' said: It used to be said: Do not make the recitation long in prayer, otherwise Satan will put you to trial.

Salim bin Abi al-Ja'd said: A man came to Sayyiduna Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) and asked: "Where is Abu Dharr?" The people said: "He is at the foot of that mountain with his small flock." (The man said:) I came to him and he was praying. He was keeping the standing short and making many bowings and prostrations. When he had finished praying, I said: "O Abu Dharr! I saw you keeping the standing short in prayer and making many bowings and prostrations; what is the reason for this?" He said: "I have been told that whenever a Muslim makes a single prostration to Allah, Allah Almighty raises him one degree by it and wipes away one sin from him by it."

Abu Mus'ab al-Aslami said: A young man from the tribe of Aslam used to serve the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Once he said: "O Messenger of Allah! Supplicate to Allah for me that He admits me into Paradise, or grants me your intercession." He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Very well; help me (in this) by making many prostrations."

Anas bin Sirin said: Masruq used to pray so long that his wife would sit behind him weeping.

Sayyiduna Abdullah (bin Mas'ud) (may Allah be pleased with him) said: As long as you are in prayer, you are knocking at the door of the King, and whoever knocks at the door a great deal, it is opened for him.

Al-Hasan said: Long standing in prayer is better than bowing and prostration.

Al-Harith bin Qays said: When you intend to do a good deed, hasten to do it. And when Satan comes to you and says, "You are a show-off," then make the standing even longer.