Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
when performing takbir-tahrimah is one required to make contact with his/her earlobes?
Answer:
Walaikum assalam,
It is sunna to raise the hands till the thumbs are level with the earlobes. [Durr, Maraqi] This is based on the sound hadiths that have been related on this matter.
Having the tips of the thumbs touch the earlobes is a means to ensure that this sunna is fulfilled, and not sought in of itself, as the fuqaha explain.
Walaikum assalam,
Faraz Rabbani.