They prayed behind Abu Hurairah, may Allah (SWT) be pleased with him, and he when he bowed, he said the Takbir, when he raised his head he said: 'Sami Allahu liman hamidah, Rabbana wa lakal-hamd. Then he prostrated and said the takbir, then he raised his head and said the takbir, then he said the takbir when he stood up following that Rak'ah. Then he said: 'By the One in Whose Hand is my soul, I am the one among you whose prayer most closely resembles that of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). And this is how he continued to pray until he left this world."
The Book of The At-Tatbiq (Clasping One's Hands Together)
Sunan an-Nasa'i - Hadith 1156
Textual Analysis
This narration from Abu Hurairah (RA) demonstrates the comprehensive manner of performing takbir throughout the prayer. The takbir is uttered at four key transitions: when bowing (ruku'), when rising from bowing, when prostrating (sujud), and when rising from prostration to stand for the next rak'ah.
The phrase "Sami Allahu liman hamidah" (Allah hears those who praise Him) followed by "Rabbana wa lakal-hamd" (Our Lord, to You is all praise) constitutes the proper remembrance when rising from bowing, combining both the imam's and congregation's responses.
Scholarly Commentary
The eminent scholar Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani explains that this hadith establishes the sunnah of vocalizing takbir at every postural change in prayer, ensuring continuity of remembrance and proper transitions between positions.
Imam al-Nawawi states in his commentary that Abu Hurairah's assertion of having the prayer most resembling the Prophet's (ﷺ) indicates his meticulous adherence to the prophetic example in both words and actions, particularly in maintaining all the prescribed remembrances.
The concluding statement "he continued to pray until he left this world" demonstrates the companions' unwavering commitment to preserving the exact prophetic practice without alteration or omission throughout their lives.
Legal Rulings
The majority of scholars consider these takbirat as emphasized sunnah acts (sunan mu'akkadah) based on this and similar narrations. Omitting them occasionally does not invalidate the prayer but diminishes its completeness.
The Hanafi school considers the takbir when rising from prostration to stand as wajib (obligatory), while other schools regard all transition takbirs as sunnah, with the exception of the opening takbir which is a pillar (rukn) of prayer.