(3) Abdull?h Ibn ‘Umar ( - رضي الله عنه -) said: ‘I saw the prophet ( - صلى الله عليه وسلم -) begin his Sal?t with Takb?r raising his hands.’ (1)

Many other ah?d?th affirm that Sal?t begins with reciting Takb?r and nothing before it. The Ulamah agreed that if that which is in the heart is incompatible with what is articulated, it is the former that is taken into consideration not the later. (2) So what is the use of this articulation??

[2/ 17] It is worth saying here that it is impossible to articulate niyyah and recite Takb?r at the same time.

Ibn Abil Izz Al-Hanafi said: ‘Ash-Sh?fi’i said: ‘One is unable to articulate niyyah and Takb?r and the same time. Those who claim the opposite ignore what sound sense affirms. Speech displays what is already existing in the heart. Several letters can never be articulated simultaneously, how could one articulate a statement and that which has already preceded it at the same time’?? (3)

[18] Reciting Takb?r, Qur’?n and the ‘Athk?r silently:

[1/ 18] One of the most common mistakes when performing Sal?t is reciting Takb?r, Qur’?n and ‘Athk?r by heart [silently] as if Sal?t consists of only mere acts with no verbal actions!! Ab? Bakr Al-Asamm and Sufy?n Ibn ‘Uyaynah (4) held this view and considered that Sal?t is valid even without articulating Takb?r!!

They both built their opinion on All?h’s ( - عز وجل -) verse that says: ‘And perform Sal?t’. They considered the order in the ‘?yah as a general one which the prophet ( - صلى الله عليه وسلم -) explained through his had?th: ‘Perform your Sal?t as you have seen me performing it’ (5) and that which can be seen and perceived is only the acts not words.