The Sunnah words of the prayer, of which there are eleven, as follows:
(i) Saying after the opening takbeer, “Subhaanaka Allaahumma wa bi hamdika, wa tabaaraka ismuka, wa ta’aala jadduka wa laa ilaaha ghayruka (Glory and praise be to You, O Allaah; blessed be Your name, exalted be Your Majesty, and there is no god but You).” This is called du’aa’ al-istiftaah (opening du’aa’)
(ii) Seeking refuge with Allaah
(iii) Saying Bismillaah
(iv) Saying Ameen
(v) Reciting a soorah after al-Faatihah
(vi) Reciting out loud, in the case of the imam
(vii) Saying after the tahmeed (Rabbana wa laka’l-hamd), for one who is not praying behind an imam: “Mil’ al-samawaati wa mil’ al-ard wa mil’ ma shi’ta min shay’in ba’d (Filling the heavens, filling the earth, and filling whatever else You wish).” (The correct view is that it is also Sunnah for one who is praying in congregation)
(viii) Saying the tasbeeh when bowing more than once, such as a second or third time or more
(ix) Saying the tasbeeh in prostration more than once
(x) Saying “Rabb ighfir li (Lord forgive me)” more than once between the two prostrations
(xi) Sending prayers upon the family of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in the last tashahhud and sending blessings upon him and upon them, and saying du’aa’ after that.
4 – Actions which are Sunnah, which are called postures:
(i) Raising the hands when saying the opening takbeer
(ii) Raising the hands when bowing
(iii) Raising the hands when rising from bowing
(iv) Dropping them after that
(v) Placing the right hand over the left
(vi) Looking towards the place of prostration
(vii) Standing with the feet apart
(viii) Holding the knees with fingers spread apart when bowing, holding the back straight and making the head parallel with it.
(ix) Placing the parts of the body on which one prostrates firmly on the ground, apart from the knees, because it is makrooh to press them firmly on the ground.
(x) Keeping the elbows away from the sides, and the belly from the thighs, and the thighs from the calves; keeping the knees apart; holding the feet upright; holding the toes apart on the ground; placing the hands level with the shoulders with the fingers spread.
(xi) Sitting muftarishan between the two prostrations and in the first tashahhud, and sitting mutawarrikan in the second tashahhud.
(xii) Placing the hands on the thighs with the fingers together between the two prostrations, and in the tashahhud, except that in the latter the pinkie and ring fingers should be held in, a circle made with the middle finger and thumb, and one should point with the forefinger when remembering Allaah.
(xiii) Turning to the right and left when saying the salaam
There are some differences of opinion among the fuqaha’ regarding some of these issues; what is regarded as obligatory by some is regarded as Sunnah by others. This is discussed in detail in the books of fiqh.
And Allaah knows best.
