on it. The majority of the scholars are of the view that one should initiate the bowing with the takbir (saying "Allahu Akbar"), and that one should say the takbir for every descent and ascent. Among them are Ibn Mas'ud, Ibn Umar, Jabir, Abu Hurayrah, Qays ibn 'Ubad (2), Malik, al-Awza'i, Ibn Jabir (3), al-Shafi'i, Abu Thawr, the People of Opinion (Ashab al-Ra'y), and the generality of scholars from the various regions. It has been narrated from Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz, Salim, al-Qasim, and Sa'id ibn Jubayr that they used to not perform the complete takbir. Perhaps they argue that the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not teach it to the one who performed his prayer poorly, and if it were part of it, he would have taught it to him; and the Sunnah from the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not reach them. Our evidence is what Abu Hurayrah narrated, saying: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) would, when he stood up for prayer, say the takbir when he stood, then say the takbir when he bowed, then say: "Sami' Allahu liman hamidah" (Allah hears those who praise Him) when he lifted his backbone from bowing, then he would say, while standing: "Rabbana wa lakal-hamd" (Our Lord, and to You is the praise). Then he would say the takbir when he descended [to prostrate], then he would say the takbir when he raised his head, then he would say the takbir when he prostrated, then he would say the takbir when he raised his head, and then he would do that throughout the entire prayer until he finished it. And he would say the takbir when he stood up from the two [rak'ahs] after the sitting. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "The Imam is appointed only to be followed; so when he says the takbir, then say the takbir." The two [Bukhari and Muslim] agreed upon it (4). Abu Hurayrah used to say the takbir in every descent and ascent, and he would say: "I am the most similar of you in prayer to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)." Narrated by al-Bukhari (5). From Ibn Mas'ud, he said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to say the takbir in every descent and ascent, as did Abu Bakr and Umar.