How authentic is the Hadith of Wa'il ibn Hujr regarding placing the hands on the chest in prayer, and is it weak?

The hadith of Wa'il ibn Hujr concerning the placement of hands on the chest is authentic and can be used as evidence. It is supported by the hadith of Halab al-Ta'i, which Al-Mubarakpuri graded as hasan (good), and the mursal narration of Tawus, which Al-Albani graded as hasan. Al-Shawkani mentioned that the hadith of Wa'il is the soundest narration reported on this topic. Nevertheless, the matter of placing hands on the chest is flexible and open; it is mustahabb (recommended) and not wajib (obligatory), and one should not be overly strict about it.