What do I say in ruku and sujud?
Usually just one short phrase in each position, repeated three times. In ruku (bowing) you say "Subhana Rabbiyal Azim", and in sujud (prostration) "Subhana Rabbiyal A'la". In sujud you can then add your own dua, because it's a special moment for asking Allah.
In ruku (bowing)
Say "Subhana Rabbiyal Azim", meaning "Glory be to my Mighty Lord." The Companion Hudhaifah prayed behind the Prophet ﷺ and reported that he said this when he bowed (Sunan Abi Dawud 871). It is usually said three times, though once is enough for the prayer to count.
The Prophet ﷺ also told his community to glorify their Lord in bowing (Sahih Muslim 479). So this is the time for praising Allah, not for reciting the Quran.
When you stand up again
Rising from the bow is called qawmah. The imam (or you, if you're praying alone) says "Sami'a Allahu liman hamidah" ("Allah hears whoever praises Him"), and then "Rabbana wa lakal hamd" ("Our Lord, all praise is Yours"). The Prophet ﷺ said these words when he rose from the bow (Sahih al-Bukhari 795). If you're behind an imam, you only say "Rabbana wa lakal hamd".
In sujud (prostration)
Say "Subhana Rabbiyal A'la", meaning "Glory be to my Lord, the Most High", usually three times (Sunan Abi Dawud 871). The Prophet ﷺ then said: "While prostrating yourselves be earnest in supplication, for it is fitting that your supplications should be answered" (Sahih Muslim 479). Here are some duas from the Prophet ﷺ you can use:
- "Subhanaka Allahumma Rabbana wa bihamdika, Allahummaghfir li": "Glory be to You, O Allah our Lord, and by Your praise; O Allah, forgive me." He often said it in both bowing and prostration (Sahih al-Bukhari 817).
- "O Lord, forgive me all my sins, small and great, first and last, open and secret." He used to say this in sujud (Sahih Muslim 483).
- Your own words: health, guidance, family, a job, or an exam.
The schools differ a little on personal duas in the obligatory prayers, with Hanafis keeping them for voluntary ones. See Can I make dua during sujood?
Between the two prostrations
When you sit briefly between the two sujuds, the Prophet ﷺ used to say "Rabbighfir li", "My Lord, forgive me" (Sunan Ibn Majah 897). You can say it twice, then go into the second prostration.
One rule to remember: the Prophet ﷺ said he was forbidden to recite the Quran while bowing or prostrating (Sahih Muslim 479). So keep Quran recitation for standing, and use glorification and dua here. For the rest of the words of prayer, see What do Muslims say when they pray?
- Ruku: "Subhana Rabbiyal Azim", usually three times.
- Qawmah: "Sami'a Allahu liman hamidah" and "Rabbana wa lakal hamd".
- Sujud: "Subhana Rabbiyal A'la", then add a dua.
- Between prostrations: "Rabbighfir li".
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