Sunan ad-Darimi

Salim narrated from his father (Sayyiduna Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both) that when the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) began the prayer, he would raise his hands up to his shoulders, then when he bowed (for ruku‘), he would do the same (raise his hands), then when he raised his head from ruku‘, he would raise his hands in the same way and say «سَمِعَ اللهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ ، اللّٰهُمَّ رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ», and he would not do so in prostrations (i.e., he would not raise his hands in sujood).

Zuhri narrated from Salim, who narrated from Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) a similar hadith, and he only said «ربنا ولك الحمد» (i.e., he did not say «اللهم ربنا»).

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When the Imam says «سَمِعَ اللّٰهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ», you should say «رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ»."

Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Indeed, the imam is appointed so that you may follow him. When he says «الله اكبر», then you should say «الله اكبر» after him. When he goes into bowing (ruku‘), then you should also bow. And when he goes into prostration (sajdah), then you should also prostrate. And when he (the imam) says «سَمِعَ اللّٰهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ», then you should say «اللّٰهُمَّ رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ». And if he prays standing, then you should also pray standing, and if he leads the prayer sitting, then all of you should also pray sitting.”

Sayyiduna Abu Musa Ash'ari (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) delivered a sermon to us and taught us our prayer and explained to us our Sunnah. (The narrator said:) I think he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When the iqamah is called for prayer, then one of you should lead you in prayer. When he (the imam) says the takbir, then you also say the takbir (Allahu Akbar), and when he recites « غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ », then you say Ameen, Allah the Exalted will accept your supplication. And when he (the imam) says Allahu Akbar and bows (for ruku'), then you also say the takbir and go into ruku' (but keep in mind) the imam will go into ruku' before you and will rise from ruku' before you." The Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "This is in response to the imam (i.e., takbir, ruku', etc.), and when he (the imam) says «سَمِعَ اللّٰهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ», then you say «اللّٰهُمَّ رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ»," or he said: "«رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ»." Allah the Exalted has said this by the tongue of His Prophet: «سَمِعَ اللّٰهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ». (That is, you should say: «سَمِعَ اللّٰهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ» Allah has heard the one who praised Him.)

Sayyiduna Abu Sa‘id Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) said: When the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) would raise his head from bowing (ruku‘), he would supplicate: «رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ ...... مَنْكَ الْجَدُّ» meaning: “O our Lord, all praise is for You, filling the heavens and the earth, and whatever else You will after that. You are worthy of praise and greatness. The best is what the servant has said, and all of us are Your servants. O Allah, there is none who can withhold what You give, and none who can give what You withhold, and the wealth (or status) of the wealthy will not benefit them before You.”

Sayyiduna Ali bin Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) said: When the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) would raise his head from bowing (ruku‘), he would say: «سَمِعَ اللّٰهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ، رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ مِلْءَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْاَرْضِ وَمِلْءَ مَا بَيْنَهُمَا وَمِلْءَ مَا شِئْتَ مِنْ شَيْيءٍ بَعْدُ». Imam Darimi (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked: Do you say this? He replied: No. He was asked: Do you say this in the obligatory prayer? He replied: Almost, and he explained that saying everything (that is narrated) is correct.