What are the clarifications of the Maliki scholars regarding the opening supplication (Du'a al-Istiftah), the Basmala, the wordings of Taslim in prayer, raising the hands to the shoulders when bowing and rising from it, and the Bid'ah (innovation) of consistently performing Qunut in the Fajr prayer?

The Sunnah must be endeared to the villagers, and Allah has not commanded Muslims to follow anyone but the Messenger (PBUH), nor to show fanaticism for anyone other than him. Imam Malik, like others, may have his saying contradict the Sunnah, and he is excused. However, whoever has received the Sunnah is not excused for abandoning it for the saying of anyone. Malik himself said: "Everyone's saying can be taken and rejected, except for the occupant of this grave (meaning the Prophet PBUH)."

Narrations from Malik regarding raising hands in prayer have differed, and adopting the narration that conforms to the Sunnah is more appropriate. As for the opening supplication (Du'a al-Istiftah), seeking refuge (Ta'awwudh), and saying "Bismillah" before reciting Al-Fatiha, these are not Sunnah according to Malik, but the majority of scholars consider them legislated and preferred. Reciting Qunut silently in the dawn prayer before bowing is Sunnah according to the Malikis, and it is a point of disagreement among scholars. The Maliki madhhab holds that the Imam and the individual worshiper perform a single Taslim by saying "Assalamu alaykum," with a disagreement regarding the addition of "wa rahmatullahi."

Generally, the prayer of someone who omits the opening supplication, or restricts themselves to a single Taslim, or recites the Qunut supplication, is valid by consensus. And the prayer of someone who omits the Basmala in Al-Fatiha is valid according to the majority. Therefore, one should be gentle with people when teaching them the Sunnah, show reverence for Imam Malik, and clarify that any disagreement with him is based on the sayings of other equally followed Imams.