Is it permissible for a Muslim to pray two rak'ahs out of gratitude to Allah Almighty when something pleasing occurs?

Prostration of thanks (sujud ash-shukr) is a confirmed Sunnah upon receiving a blessing or repelling an affliction. However, performing two rak'ahs of prayer as a way of thanking Allah is a matter of scholarly disagreement. Those who affirm its permissibility cite the hadith of Ka'b ibn 'Ujrah (which is weak), the hadith of Abu Jahl (whose chain of narration is questionable), and the Prophet's (peace be upon him) performance of eight rak'ahs on the day of the Conquest of Makkah (though the correct view is that this was the Dhuha prayer, not a specific prayer of thanks for the Conquest). Based on this, the majority of scholars have concluded that what is called "salat ash-shukr" (prayer of thanks) is not prescribed, and that only sujud ash-shukr (prostration of thanks) is prescribed.