Question: I said the takbir al-iftihah (the opening takbir) quickly to catch up with the imam while he was in the state of ruku’. I finished saying the takbir the moment I bent for ruku’. I remained in the state of ruku’ with the imam for a split second. Am I considered to have caught up with that rak’at?
ANSWER
Your salat is not valid, let alone your rak’at. It is a requirement that the takbir al-iftitah is uttered while one is standing. If you had said the takbir al-iftitah in a standing position and then had remained in ruku’ with the imam for a very short period of time, your salat would have been valid, and your rak’at would have counted. A person should not make such mistakes in his haste to catch up with a rak’at. Above all else, he must join salat correctly even if it costs him missing a rak’at. To that end, he has to say the takbir al-iftitah while standing.

Question: Suppose that a person has said “Subhanaka” by mistake instead of “Allahu akbar” when beginning salat. If he realizes his mistake in salat, what procedure should he follow?
ANSWER
He must stand up immediately and say the takbir al-iftitah (Allahu akbar) while standing.

Question: Though I have repeated it many times and made every effort, I cannot pronounce the takbir al-iftitah. As I am considered an excused person, will it be valid if I say “Allahu kabir” or “Tabarakallah” instead of “Allahu akbar”?
ANSWER
There is a maxim, “Fatwa is given according to the description of the matter by the questioner.” As you have said that you cannot pronounce “Allahu akbar,” we will make a quotation from fiqh books for you:

According to the four madhhabs and all scholars, one must say “Allahu akbar” as the opening takbir. The scholars of the other three madhhabs disagree with the validity of saying “Allahu kabir” instead of “Allahu akbar.” But you are considered excused, so there is nothing with you saying “Allahu kabir,” “Allahu azim,” or “Allahu jalil.” Similarly, you can say “Tabarakallah,” “La ilaha ill-Allah,” or “Subhanallah.” You can also utter Allah’s attributes in which He has no partner, e.g., “Ya Rahman,” “Ya Khaliq,” “Ya Razzak,” “Ya Allah.” (Halabi, Durar, Tahtawi)

Question: Is it better to say the takbir al-iftitah after one makes niyyah (intention)?
ANSWER
Yes, it is better.

Question: People follow different methods when saying the takbir al-iftitah:
1. Some people say “Allahu akbar” before raising their hands up to their ears.
2. Some people say “Allahu akbar” while raising their hands up to their ears.
3. Some people raise their hands up to their ears first and begin saying “Allahu akbar” as their hands leave their ears and finish saying it as they fold their hands under their navels.
Which of these is correct?
ANSWER
Salat will be valid when a person applies any of them. If a person says the takbir al-iftitah without raising his hands up to his ears, his salat will still be valid.

1. On saying “Allahu akbar,” a person begins salat. If he raises his hands after saying it, then this means that he is moving his hands in salat. This act does not break his salat, but he should refrain from doing so.

2. The second group of people remain with their hands on their ears though they have said the takbir al-iftitah. Though they have started salat, they are busy with dropping their hands. This act of theirs does not break their salats, but they should refrain from doing so.

3. The method applied by the third group of people is the most correct one. The hands have already been folded when the takbir is finished. There will be no extra action in salat.