• Supplication: In modern toilets
When one goes into a bathroom where both toilet and washing facilities are joined together, as is the case in today’s houses, is one expected to say the prescribed supplication? How is this to be reconciled with the restriction of carrying anything on which a name of Allah is written or reading any part of the Holy Qur'an in toilets?
What you mention of the restrictions in a water closet is correct. We are advised against mentioning the name of Allah in the toilet or to take anything in which a Qur'anic verse or the name of Allah is written, unless it is properly enclosed or kept in a protective cover, and there is no chance of it falling down. However, the prayer which one says just before going to toilet is said as he approaches it, not when he goes inside. When he finishes and leaves, he only says the short prayer "I seek your forgiveness"
[Added: or Rabbigh-firlee] You note that the name of Allah is not mentioned.[Added: There is no bar against supplication in your hearts, secretly.]
As far as the supplications associated with washing every part of one's body during ablution, I should perhaps explain that none of these is authentic. One makes the intention to do the ablution and he starts doing it, without the need to utter a word. Therefore, the problem does not arise.
Is it advisable to make a prolonged supplication [after completing Tashahhud and Durood i.e.] just before concluding an obligatory or voluntary prayer?
The short answer is that a prolonged supplication is not advisable, particularly if it becomes disproportionate to the other parts of the prayer. Some people are in the habit of making their supplications very long, particularly in the qunoot in the Witr prayer, especially in Ramadhan. This is certainly not advisable because the Prophet is not known to have ever made such a prolonged supplication in prayers at any time. Indeed, once Lady Aisha, his wife, asked him what she should say in her supplication on the night of power, (i.e. Lailat Al-Qadr) if she were certain of the night. As you realize, supplication on that night is certain to be answered. The Prophet taught her only one short supplication which says: "My Lord, You are much-forgiving, and You love forgiveness, so forgive me." If that is the Prophet's advice for the night of power, then certainly it applies to other occasions. What some people do in supplication during prayer, of making their qunoot or other supplication very long is contrary to the Prophet's guidance, particularly in congregational prayer.
Having said that, I would like to point out that when one has finished his Tashahhud [and Durood], which is the penultimate task in prayer, and just before one finishes his prayer, a short supplication is recommended. One should choose some of the most important supplications the Prophet has taught us, or, preferably, he should choose what he is most in need of whether it relates to matters of this life or the hereafter. But it is far preferable to make such supplications short.
• Supplication: Raising hands in supplication
A learned man has said that it is an innovation to raise one's hands in supplication after an obligatory prayer. Is this correct?
It has been authentically reported that the Prophet raised his hands in supplication during prayer. It is also reported that when he raised his hands in supplication, his armpits were seen through his sleeves. This report suggests that the Prophet was not in prayer when he did so. His companions would have been offering prayers with him. I see nothing wrong with raising hands in supplication. I think that an element of splitting hairs is involved when one says that you can raise your hands in supplication if you are offering a voluntary prayer but you may not do so after an obligatory prayer. I have not seen a Hadith restricting this practice.