Q 4: Are the Du`a's (supplications) of Sujud (prostration) and Ruku` (bowing) to be said in every Ruku` and Sujud or only in a specific Salah (Prayer)?

A: It is related by Muslim in his Sahih (authentic) Book of Hadith on the authority of Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) who narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Verily, I have been forbidden to recite the Qur'an in the Ruku` position and in (Part No. 5; Page No. 359) Sujud. So far as Ruk'u is concerned, extol in it the Great and Glorious Lord, while in Sujud be earnest in Du`a', for it is fitting that your Du`a's should be answered." Accordingly, Ruku` is a place of exalting Allah (Exalted be He) not a place of Du`a'. So the worshiper is to recite the reported Adhkar (invocations) of Ruku`. An example of such Adhkar is in the Hadith, which is related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim on the authority of `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) to the effect that "The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to say in his Ruku` and Sujud, 'Subhanaka-Allahumma Rabbana wa-bihamdika Allahumma ighfirli (Glorified is Allah and all praise be to Him, O Allah! Forgive me)'." It is worth noting that such a Dhikr is said after the regular exaltation that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to recite. On the other hand, the Hadith quoted above which is narrated by Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) indicates that offering Du`a' in a place of Sujud is Mashru` (Islamically acceptable), and that Du`a' which is said in it is more likely to be accepted. Thus, one can ask Allah to give them whatever they like of the good things of this world and the hereafter, and to protect them against their evils while in the Sujud position. Finally, it is authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “A Servant is closest to their Lord when they are prostrating. So increase supplications (in prostration).” (Related by Muslim in his Sahih Book of Hadith and narrated on the authority of Abu Hurayrah [may Allah be pleased with him])May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.