Is the Sunnah to say the takbir before the ruku' or during it?

Question:
May Allah reward you, Honorable Shaykh. This questioner says: Is the Sunnah to say the takbir and then go into the ruku', or to say the takbir while going into the ruku'? And likewise in the sujud?

Answer:
The takbir is said during the transition from one pillar to another, and for this reason they are called the takbirs of transition. The takbir is between the two pillars; when one begins the transition, he starts the takbir until he settles into the second pillar. There is no harm in prolonging the takbir during the transition. However, delaying the takbir until one has entered the second pillar is contrary to the Sunnah. Yes.