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)."