Saeed bin Sam'an (may Allah have mercy on him) says that once Hazrat Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) came to us in the mosque of Banu Zuraiq and said that there are three things which the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) used to do, but now people have abandoned them: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to spread both hands and raise them when starting the prayer, he used to say takbeer at every bowing and rising, and before recitation he would remain silent for a while and in that silence he would ask Allah for His bounty.