The takbirat al-iftitah (i.e. takbirat al-ihram) is once, and seven (times) is best. Jahr (recitation aloud) with bismillaahi ‘r-rahmani ‘r-rahim is obligatory in the salat at the opening of al-Fatiha and at the opening of the sura after it. It is a verse from the Quran. It is closer to the greatest name of Allah than the black of the eye is to its white. It is recommended to raise the hands in every takbira in the prayer, and it is the adornment of the prayer.