During silent prayers (zuhr & asr), we read surah Fatiha and another surah in the first two raka’ats. Very often, there is some spare time left after I have read these, that is, I have to wait before the Imaam goes to Rukuh. How can I fill this ‘gap’ beneficially? can I read Tasbeeh, Tahleel or ask duahs for myself?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

It is permissible for a praying person after finishing the recitation of Al-Faatihah (the opening chapter) and one chapter to recite another chapter if the Imaam has not yet bowed down. Indeed, it is confirmed in the Sunnah that it is permissible to recite two chapters in one Rak'ah after having recited Al-Faatihah. Ibn Mas'ood narrated: "The Prophet used to recite two chapters after Al-Faatihah in each Rak'ah." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Another narration (by the same narrator) reads: "…He used to recite two chapters that are similar in length in one Rak'ah, for instance he   would recite Ar-Rahmaan (chapter 55) and An-Najm (chapter 53) in the first Rak'ah, and Al-Qamar (chapter 54) and Al-Haaqaah (chapter 69) in the second Rak'ah." [Abu Daawood].

Therefore, reciting two chapters after having recited Al-Faatihah is better and more beneficial than being preoccupied with Tasbeeh (Glorification of Allaah) until the Imaam bows down, because Tasbeeh is legislated to be recited in the bowing down position and in prostration but not in the standing position. The mention of Allaah that is legislated in the standing position is the recitation of the Quran.

Allaah Knows best.