It was narrated in a hadith by ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Amir (may Allah be pleased with him) that when the verse “So exalt the name of your Lord, the Most Great” [Al-Waqi’ah, 56:74] was revealed, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Recite it in your ruku’ (bowing position).” And when the verse “Glorify the name of your Lord, the Most High” [Al-A’la, 87:1] was revealed, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Recite it in your sujud (prostration).”
This narration in this form was reported by a group of scholars, including Ahmad in his Musnad, Al-Bayhaqi in his Sunan, Al-Hakim in his Mustadrak, Abu Ya’la, and others. However, some scholars have criticized the chain of narration. Nevertheless, the popularity of the narration and the fact that people act upon it make it sufficient.
As for the one who forgets to say the complete phrase of tasbeeh or replaces “Subhan Rabbil-‘Azeem” with “Subhan Rabbil-A’la”” in the prayer, the majority of scholars agree that there is no harm on them as it is a Sunnah. This is the opinion of the Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanafi schools of thought, and it is also reported from Ahmad. This is the general opinion of the scholars based on the hadith of the man who prayed poorly. The hadiths that mention the recommended supplications in prayer are considered to be indicative of their desirability, and this is based on a combination of narrations.
The Hanbalis and Ahl al-Hadith believe that saying the complete phrase of tasbeeh is obligatory in prayer, and whoever leaves it out is required to perform Sujood al-Sahw (prostration of forgetfulness). They use the hadith of ‘Uqbah and the consistent practice of the Prophet (peace be upon him) as evidence for their opinion.
However, the most preferred opinion is the view of the majority of scholars, which is that if one forgets or intentionally leaves out the tasbeeh or substitutes it with something else, then there is no harm or obligation upon them.
Fatwa by Dr. Khālid Naṣr