I am not a Faqih (interpreter of Islamic law) so you may want to ask others who are more knowledgeable than me. But from what I’ve learned, you must say a minimum of “As-Salaam Alaikum” and you can add the extensions “wa rahmatullahi” and “wa barakatuhu.”

And Allah knows best.

Whatever the case, you should not have to redo your prayers for this.

And Allah knows best.

These postures are common for most Muslims throughout the world, and I’m sure you’ve seen them yourself many times. Nonetheless, I will give you links to the daleel verifying each one, Inshallah.

For the Niyah or “Intention” the very first hadeeth in Sahih Bukhari states: “Verily actions are judged by intentions.”

For the initial takbeer “takbirul haraam” please read this ruling.

For the Fatihah Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has said: “There is no prayer for the one who does not recite the Opening of the Book [i.e., al-Faatihah].” (Narrated by al-Bukhari, 714).

For standing in prayer (the Qiyaam) the following hadith proves it: ‘Imraan ibn Husayn (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: I had hemorrhoids, and I asked the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) about praying. He said: “Pray standing; if you cannot, then sitting; and if you cannot, then lying on your side.” (Narrated by Bukhari 1050)

For the bowing position (ruku) Abu Dawood narrates that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “ndeed, the prayer of one of you is not complete until he makes an excellent ablution as Allaah has commanded him to … then he celebrates Allaah’s greatness, praises and glorifies Him, then recites the Qur’aan as much as is easy for him from what Allaah has taught him and allowed him, then says takbeer and makes rukoo’ [and places his hands on his knees] until his joints are at ease and relaxed”

For the prostrating position (sajdah) the previous Hadeeth from Abu Dawood continues to confirm this as well: “Allaah listens to the one who praises Him and stands up straight, then says: Allaah is the Greatest and prostrates such that his joints are at rest.”

For the sitting position and the Tashahhud, this same Hadith also explains it. It should be noted that this Hadith that I’m referring to was one in which Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was teaching a man whom he saw praying incorrectly. That same hadith mentions: “When you sit in the middle of the prayer, then be calm, spread your left thigh and perform tashahhud.”

For the final position, the salutation (tasleem) both Bukhari and Muslim report the following: “Ali ibn Abi Taalib (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Alalah be upon him) said: “The key to prayer is purification, one enters it by saying takbeer (‘Allaahu akbar – Allaah is Most Great)’ and one exits it by saying tasleem (‘Al-salaamu aleikum’ – peace be upon you’).”

Inshallah, I hope that provides enough evidence for the positions of prayer. If you have further questions, please let me know.

And Allah knows best.

Jazakkallah
Mohammed Eliyas