Allah Almighty says: "So when you recite the Qur'an, seek refuge with Allah from the accursed Satan."

Sayyiduna Ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates from the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he (peace be upon him) used to recite this supplication «‏‏‏‏اللَّهُمَّ إنِّي أّعُوذُ بِكَ مِن الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ، وَنَفْخِهِ هَمْزِهِ وَنَفْثِهِ» ‏‏‏‏: "O Allah, I seek refuge with You from the accursed Satan, from his arrogance and pride, from his whisperings, and from his magic and sorcery." He (Ibn Mas'ud) says that «‏‏‏‏هَمْزِهِ» ‏‏‏‏ refers to his whisperings or madness. «‏‏‏‏نَفْثِهِ» ‏‏‏‏ refers to poetry. And «‏‏‏‏نَفْخِهِ» ‏‏‏‏ refers to arrogance and pride.

Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) used to do three things which people have abandoned. When he (peace be upon him) would stand for prayer, he would raise his both hands open, and before recitation, he would stand for a while and ask Allah Almighty for His grace and bounty. And he (peace be upon him) would say takbeer whenever he bowed for ruku or prostrated or rose from them. Bundar, in his narration, mentioned these words: He (peace be upon him) used to act upon three things which people have left. When the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) would stand for prayer, he would raise his both hands spreading them. And he (peace be upon him) would stand for a short while before recitation, and he (peace be upon him) would say: (During this time) I ask Allah Almighty for His grace and bounty. And whenever he (peace be upon him) would bow for ruku or prostrate, he would say takbeer.

Because the one who prays is whispering to his Lord, and it is obligatory for the one who whispers with his Lord to keep his heart free for whispering to his Creator and Master, and not to occupy his heart with any worldly matters that would distract him from whispering with his Lord.

Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) led us in the Zuhr prayer. When he finished the prayer with salam, he called out to a person who was at the end of the rows and said: "O so-and-so, do you not fear Allah? Do you not reflect on how you have performed the prayer? Indeed, when any one of you stands for prayer, he stands only to converse privately with his Lord. Therefore, he should consider how he is conversing with his Lord. Do you think that I do not see you? By Allah, indeed I see you from behind my back just as I see you in front of me."

Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates from the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said: "What is wrong with people that they raise their eyes towards the sky during prayer?" He (peace and blessings be upon him) gave a very stern warning about this until he said: "They must stop, or else their eyes will surely be snatched away."

Hazrat Qatadah, may Allah have mercy on him, narrates that Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, was severely admonished by the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him.

Sayyiduna Wa’il bin Hujr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that I came to Madinah Munawwarah and I said (in my heart) that I will definitely observe the prayer of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) with full attention. So I saw that when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) began the prayer, he said «‏‏‏‏اللهُ أَكْبَرُ» ‏‏‏‏ and raised both his hands. I saw that both his thumbs were in line with his ears. Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) placed his left hand in his right hand. Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) recited (Qira’ah), then he narrated the rest of the hadith.

Sayyiduna Wa’il bin Hujr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that I was among those people who came to the service of the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) (to accept Islam and learn religious matters). So I said that I will definitely observe the prayer of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) to see how he performs the prayer. So I saw that when he said «‏‏‏‏اللهُ أَكْبَرُ» ‏‏‏‏, he raised both his hands until they were level with his ears, then he placed his right hand over his left hand and held it. Then the rest of the hadith was narrated.

Sayyiduna Wa'il bin Hujr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that I prayed with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). And he (peace and blessings be upon him) placed his right hand over his left hand and folded them on his chest.