Is the initial Takbir (Allahu Akbar) part of the prayer (Salah)?
Chapter on the Description of Prayer
Al-Mughni
Book of Prayer
Primary text
The initial Takbir is established as an integral part of the prayer. The evidence for this is the saying of the Prophet, peace be upon him, concerning the prayer: 'Indeed, it is Tasbih, Takbir, and the recitation of the Quran.' This was narrated by Muslim and Abu Dawud. The opposing view that it is not part of the prayer, based on the phrasing 'Its prohibition is the Takbir' (implying something cannot be ascribed to itself), is incorrect because parts of a whole are necessarily ascribed to it, such as a person's hand, head, and limbs.
Supporting text
The Hanafi school of thought holds that the initial Takbir is not part of the prayer because it is referred to as the prohibition (Tahrim) of the prayer, and an entity cannot be ascribed to itself.