prostrates until he is at ease in his prostration, then he says: 'Allahu Akbar.' He then raises his head until he is sitting upright, then he says: 'Allahu Akbar.' Then he prostrates until his joints are at ease, then he raises his head and says the takbir. When he has done that, his prayer is complete." This is an explicit text (nass) regarding the obligation of the takbir, and because the positions of these invocations are pillars (arkan) of the prayer, they must contain an obligatory invocation, just like standing (qiyam). As for the hadith of the man who prayed poorly, the instruction for those acts was mentioned in the hadith we narrated, and that is an addition which must be accepted. Furthermore, the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, did not teach him all the obligations, as evidenced by the fact that he did not teach him the tashahhud or the salutations (salam). It is possible that he limited his instruction to what he saw him performing incorrectly, and it does not follow from parity in obligation that there must be parity in rulings, as proven by the obligations of Hajj.

Section: If one is an imam, it is not recommended for him to prolong [the prayer], nor to add to the number of tasbihs. Al-Qadi said: It is not recommended for him to [prolong it nor] (12) to exceed three, so as not to burden the followers (ma'mumun). This is in the case where they are not content with prolongation. If the congregation is small and they are content with that, the complete tasbih is recommended for him, as we have mentioned, and likewise if he is praying alone.

Section: It is disliked (makruh) to recite [Qur'an] during bowing and prostration, because it is reported from 'Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, forbade the recitation of the Qur'an during bowing and prostration (13). Al-Tirmidhi said: This is a hasan sahih hadith. The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: "I have been forbidden to recite [the Qur'an] while bowing and prostrating. As for the bowing, glorify the Lord therein; and as for the prostration, exert yourselves in supplication, for it is likely that you will be answered." Narrated by Abu Dawud (14). His saying "qamin" means: worthy and deserving.