Sunnat of Salaat

There are 51 Sunnats in Salaat:
1.Lifting the hands for Takbeer Tahrima (Allaahu Akbar at the start of the Salaat). Up to the ears for a man and up to the shoulders for a woman.
2. Spreading the fingers when saying the Tahrima.
3. The Muqtadis should recite the Tahrima simultaneously with the Imaams.
4. A man should place his right hand over the left below the navel. By placing the inward his right palm over the outward part of the left palm, holding the waist with the middle finger
and the thumbs spread out to form a ring.
5. A woman should place her hands on the chest without forming a ring.
6. To recite Thana.
7. To recite Ta’awwuz before Qiraat.
8.To recite Bismillaah (Tasmiya) at the beginning of every Rakaat before reading Surah Fatiha.
9. To recite ‘Aamin’ (Allaah accept our prayers) on the completion of Surah Fatiha.
10. To recite “Rabbanna wa lakal Hamd” after Ruku, before Sajdah.
11. To recite all the above (6-10) inaudibly.
12. Not to bow the head whilst saying Takbir Tahrima.
13. For the Imaam to recite Takbeer audibly.
14. To recite, “Sami Allaah li man Hamida” when rising from Ruku.
15. Men should spread their feet to the measure of 4 fingers when standing and women should keep their feet together.
16. To recite from the following after Surah Fatiha.
a. Tiwale Mufassil (long Surahs) in the Fajr and Zuhr. ( those Surahs from and including Surah Hujuraat up to Surah Burooj).
b. Aswaate Mufassil (medium length Surah) in the Asr and Esha ( those Surahs from and including Surah Burooj up to Surah Bayinah).
c. Qisaare Mufassil (short Surahs) in Magrib Salaat ( those Surahs from and including Surah Bayyinah up to the end of the noble Quraan).
The above Surahs are applicable to a Muqeem (non Musafir). A Musafir may read any Surah desired.
17. To lengthen the first Rakaat of the Fardh of Fajr only.
18. To praise Allaah in Ruku.
19. By saying “Subhana rabi yal azim” 3 times.
20. To grasp the knees with the hands in Ruku (for men).
21. Spreading the fingers in Ruku for men and not for women.
22. To keep the legs straight in Ruku.
23. To keep the back flat in Ruku for men.
24. To keep the head level to the buttocks in Ruku (for men).
25. To lift the head and rise from Ruku.
26. To stand at ease after Ruku.
27. When making Sajdah, to place the knees on the surface first, then the hands and lastly the face.
28. Withdrawing these in the opposite way when standing from Sajdah.
29. Saying Takbeer (Allaahu Akbar) when going to Sajdah.
30. Saying Takbeer when rising from Sajdah.
31. Placing the head between the palms when performing Sajdah.
32. Glorifying Allaah in Sajdah by saying “Subhana Rabi al a’la” three times.
33. For a man to keep his stomach away from his thigh, his elbows away from his sides and forearms away from the ground.
34. For a woman to contract her body so that the stomach is pressed against the thighs.
35. Render Qaumah properly (standing for a little while between Ruku and Sajdah).
36. To sit between the two Sajdahs (Jalsa) as in Tashahud.
37. To place the hands upon the thighs during the Jalsa as in
Tashahud.
38. To spread the left leg and raise the right making the toes face Qibla for men.
39. A woman should sit the buttocks on the ground.
40. To raise the right index finger during the Tashahud, raising
when saying “la ilaha” and lowering when saying “illa Allaahu”.
41. To recite Surah Fatiha in all Rakaats following the first 2 Rakaats.
42. To recite Durood upon Nabi (S.A.W) during the final sitting.
43. To follow by reading a Dua using words found in the Quraan or a Hadith but not in the words of common people.
44. To turn the face first to the right then to the left when making Salaam.
45. For the Imaam to make intention for all people following him, the angels and the pious jinn.
46. For the person following the Imaam to include the Imaam
in his intention whenever he is standing.

 If he is directly behind the Imaam he should include him in both the Salaams together
with the people, angels and the pious jinn.
47. For a Munfarid (one performing Salaat alone) to only intend for the angels in his Salaam.
48. To say the second Salaam in a softer tone than the first.
49. The Salaam of the Muqtadi (follower) and the Imaam should be simultaneous, (not after it).
50. To begin the Salaam from the right side.
51. The Masbooq (late comer in Salaat) should wait for the Imaam to complete both Salaams ( once the Imaam starts the second Salaam), he should stand to complete Salaat.

The Aadab(etiquetes)of Salaat:

These acts are for perfection of the Salaat but not for its validity.

There are 10:
1. For a man to remove his hands from his sleeves when saying Takbeer (a woman will cover them for fear of uncovering her forearms).
2. For the Musalli (one performing Salaat) to look at the place of Sajdah when standing.
3. To look at the feet in Ruku.
4. To look at the tip of the nose on Sajdah.
5. To look at the lap when seated.
6. To look at the shoulders when making Salaam.
7. To resist coughing (as far as possible).
8. To cover the mouth when yawning.
9. To stand for Salaat when “Hayya alaa falah” is called.
10.For the Imaam to begin Salaat when “Qad Qaumatis Salaat” is said.

source: Taleem ud Deen (Hanafi), Mufti Afzal Hoosen Elias.