Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) says that when you perform ruku, if you wish, place your hands on your knees, and if you wish, place them one over the other between both knees.

Ibrahim narrates that Hazrat Aswad and Hazrat Alqama came to Hazrat Abdullah. Hazrat Abdullah asked, "Have these people performed the prayer?" Both of them replied, "No." Hazrat Abdullah said, "Get up and pray." He did not instruct for the adhan or the iqamah. Then he stepped forward and led us in prayer. When we began to move back, he pulled us and made us stand with him. When we bowed for ruku, Aswad placed his hands on his knees. When Hazrat Abdullah saw him do this, he struck his hands. Aswad saw that Hazrat Abdullah's both hands were between his knees and his fingers were spread apart. When Hazrat Abdullah completed the prayer, he said, "When you are three, one of you should lead the prayer. When you bow for ruku, spread your arms over your thighs. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) used to keep his fingers spread apart in the state of ruku, and this scene is still before my eyes." After this, Hazrat Abdullah said, "Soon there will come such rulers who will destroy the prayer. Their prayer will be worse than that of a donkey, and there will be no benefit in such a prayer. When any of you reaches such a time, perform your prayer at its proper time, and join them only as a voluntary (nafl) prayer." The narrator says, "I asked Ibrahim, 'Did Hazrat Aswad and Hazrat Alqama continue to do this afterwards?' He replied, 'Yes.' I asked, 'Do you also do the same?' He replied, 'Yes.' I said, 'Many people place their hands on their knees.' Ibrahim said, 'I heard Hazrat Abu Ma'mar say that Hazrat Umar used to place his hands on his knees.'"

Hazrat Abdullah narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) taught us the prayer in such a way that he raised his hands while saying the takbeer, then performed ruku‘, and in ruku‘ placed both hands between the knees.

Hazrat Mughira says that I asked Ibrahim whether Hazrat Abdullah used to place his hands one over the other between his legs during ruku and spread his arms over his thighs. He replied, "Yes." I asked, "Should I also do the same?" He replied, "Hazrat Umar used to place his hands on his knees."

Hazrat Usman bin Abi Hind narrates that I saw Hazrat Abu Ubaidah placing his hands one over the other between his legs while performing ruku (bowing in prayer).

Ibrahim says that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) also did the same. That is, in bowing (ruku‘), he placed his hands one over the other between his two legs. Ibn ‘Aun says that I mentioned this to Ibn Sirin, so he said that perhaps the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did this once. (

Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrates that when the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) would raise his head from bowing (ruku‘), he used to say these words: O Allah! All praise is for Allah, as much as would fill the heavens and the earth and whatever else You will besides them, as much as would fill all that is in Your knowledge. You are the Owner of praise and greatness. Whatever You wish to give, none can withhold, and whatever You do not wish to give, none can grant. No wealth or offspring of any person can benefit him against You.

Hazrat Ibn Abi Awfa narrates that when the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would raise his head from bowing (ruku), he used to say these words: O Allah! All praise is for Allah, praise that fills the heavens and the earth and whatever else You will, besides them, as much as fills them, according to Your knowledge.

Hazrat Abu Juhaifa narrates that when the Imam would raise his head from bowing (ruku‘), Hazrat Abdullah used to say these words: O Allah! All praise is for Allah, praise that fills the heavens and the earth and whatever else is in between them as much as You know.

Hazrat Harith narrates that when Hazrat Ali would raise his head from bowing (ruku), he would say these words: Allah has heard the one who praised Him. O Allah! O our Lord! All praise is for You. By the strength granted by You and the power bestowed by You, I stand and sit.