Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) says that when the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said the takbeer, he would raise his hands until they were level with his shoulders or close to it, and when he bowed for ruku‘ he would raise his hands, and when he raised his head from ruku‘ he would perform raf‘ al-yadayn. He would not do so in prostrations.