The Importance of Tranquility in Prayer and Maintaining Humility in It

Question:
Many of the imams—may Allah guide them—take half the time we take here in the mosque for our prayers, which we perform with your Eminence; for this reason, they do not allow the ma'mums to achieve tranquility and the humility that is the essence of prayer. Would you please issue a general directive to them and advise them?

Answer:
If Allah wills, this is certainly a good point, and there is no doubt that this is a reality. Many imams are in a hurry in their ruku' and sujud, which is not appropriate. He should be tranquil in his sujud and ruku' so that the people can be tranquil, and so that the elderly, the weak, and the sick can keep up with him in his ruku' and sujud.
And among the things that should be done is that he recites the tasbih three times, or five times, saying "Subhan Rabbi al-Azim" (Glory be to my Lord, the Supreme) three times, or five times, or seven times in ruku', and he says "Subhan Rabbi al-A'la" (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High) in sujud likewise. He also says, "Subhanaka Allahumma Rabbana wa bihamdika, Allahumma ighfir li" (Glory be to You, O our Lord, and praise be to You, O Allah, forgive me), and he makes du'a' in his sujud as much as is easy for him; so that his action resembles the action of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
It was reported from Anas that he saw an imam who was tranquil in his prayer, and he counted ten tasbihs for him, so he said: "This is the person most resembling the prayer of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)."