the intention coincides with the takbīr. This is difficult.”

He replied:

Regarding the intention’s coinciding with the takbīr, scholars hold two well-known views. The first is that it is not obligatory . . . (1).

The concurrence stipulated as a condition may be understood to mean pronouncing the takbīr immediately after forming the intention. This is possible and presents no difficulty; indeed, this is how people generally pray. It is inevitable: were they required to refrain from doing so, they would be unable to.

It may also be understood as extending the intention so that its end coincides with the end of the takbīr, with its beginning coinciding with the beginning of the takbīr. This is not valid, because it entails the complete intention being absent at the beginning of the prayer, leaving the beginning of the prayer without the required intention.

It may also be understood as keeping the entire intention consciously present throughout the final part of the takbīr. Scholars have disagreed over whether this is possible. Some have said that this is impossible and beyond human capacity, let alone obligatory. Even if it were held to be possible, it would be so difficult that the requirement would be waived on account of hardship.