Ibn Qudamah stated nearly the same; he said: ‘The Masb?q should recite Takbirat?l Ihr?m while standing. If he recited it while bowing or while going down for bowing; it is then invalid for it is recited in the improper position, in this case, one misses the Qiyam [standing] which is one of the articles of Sal?t. Another Takb?r must be recited while going down for Ruk?‘. The first Takb?r is Rukn. This ruling does not apply on the Nafilah Sal?t’. (1)

Im?m Al? Al-Q?ri shared An-Nawaw? his view. (2) Shaikh Ibn B?z was asked regarding this point; and he answered: ‘When one attends Sal?t while the Im?m is in a state of Ruk?‘, he should recite two Takb?rs. The first is Takbirat?l Ihr?m which is one of the articles of Sal?t. The second Takb?r should be recited while going down to Ruk?‘. If there is not enough time, one could rectie Takbirat?l Ihr?m only -according to the soundest of the ‘Ulamah’s views- for both Takbirs are two acts of worship gathered at the same time; that which is the major one has precedence over that which is minor and hence the validity of the Rak‘ah’. (3)

Many ‘Ulamah such as: Az-Zuhri, Sa‘?d Ibn Al-Musayyab, Al-‘Awza‘? and M?lik stated that one Takb?r in such a state is sufficient. (4)

In addition to this,

[2/ 42] There is no need for what some people do of placing the right hand on the left one after reciting Takbirat?l Ihr?m and before going down for Ruk?‘. Placing the hands in such a manner should only be done while reciting Qur’?n.

[43] Occupying oneself with Du‘a’ul Istiftah instead of following the Im?m by the Masb?q:

[1/ 43] Occupying oneself with reciting Du‘?’ul Istift?h calmly followed by Isti‘?thah and Basmalah and catching up with the