Takbir al-Iftitah: Opening Takbir

Prophet Muhammad (saw) explained that the opening takbir after the intention is the beginning of prayer, “The key to prayer is purification,  its beginning is takbir and its end is taslim.”. (Sunan Abu Dawud, Taharah 31)  By saying the blessed words “Allahu akbar (Allah is the greatest)” one starts to worship Allah (swt) and speak with Him. (Sunan Abu Dawud, Salah, 115, 116).  It is for this reason that the heart should be focused and one should detach himself from worldly matters. While performing the takbir al-iftitah, the hands are raised to touch the earlobe and the head is slightly tilted forward. (Heyet, İlmihal, I, 240) The takbir al-iftitah is done by raising the hand to the ears for men and to the chest for women, opening the hands and ensuring that they face the Qiblah while keeping the fingers at a normal distance from each other.