What is the criterion for dua (supplication) in prostration? Is it permissible to pray for something worldly in prostration or to say something other than "subhana rabbiyal a'la"? Is prayer invalidated if something else is said?

Dear Brother / Sister,

Hanafis say "subhana rabbiyal a'la" in prostration in accordance with the following hadith reported from Hz. Hudhayfa: Hz. Hudhayfa narrates:

"Hz. Prophet said, 'subhana rabbiyal azim' in ruku' and 'subhana rabbiyal a'la' in prostration." (Abu Dawud, II/30)

The criterion about how many times to say it is the following hadith: Abdullah b. Abbas narrates:

"When one of you bows down for ruku', he should say, 'subhanaka rabbiyal azim' three times. Three is the minimum amount. When he makes prostration, he should say, 'subhanaka rabbiyal a'la' desin; three times. Three is the minimum amount." (Abu Dawud, II/40)

However, it is a known fact that the Messenger of Allah also said different prayers in prostration. For instance, he said the following prayers:

"Sabbih isma rabbikal a'la";
"subhana rabbiyal a'la wa bihamdih";
"Subbuhun, quddusun, Rabbul malaikatihi wa'r-ruhi";
"Subhana dhil-jabarut wal-malakut, wal-kibriyai wal-azamah";
"Allahumma Rabbana wa bihamdika, Allahummaghfirli";
"Allahummaghfirli dhanbi kullahu diqqahu wa jillahu wa awwalahu wa akhirahu alaniyatahu wa sirrahu";
"Audhu bi ridaka min sahatika wa audhu bimuafatika min uqubatika wa audhu bika minka la ahsi thanaan alayka, anta kama athnayta ala nafsika" (Abu Dawud, II/28-35)

According to Hanafi madhhab, it is not appropriate for a person to say the supplications other than the one narrated in the hadith.

It is sunnah to say, “Subhana rabbiyal ala” in prostration. Therefore, a person who abandons this supplication is regarded to have abandoned the sunnah. His prayer is valid but he will be deprived of the thawab of sunnah.

In prostration, you can say prayers as much as and as long as you wish especially when you perform sunnah and nafilah prayers. However, in fard prayers, delaying the other fards will be in question and you will be held responsible for abandoning wajib, necessitating sajdah as-sahw.  

The best thing is to say the supplication mentioned above three times. You can say prayers as you wish in the prostration of nafilah prayers.

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