What is the reason for the difference in Imam Malik's madhhab from other imams regarding the ruling on reciting Al-Fatiha behind the imam aloud and the placement of hands in prayer, despite him being closer to the Prophetic era and living in Medina? And did the students of Imam Abu Hanifa authenticate his hadiths after their arrival in Medina?

The summary of the answer regarding the issue of reciting Al-Fatiha behind the Imam in a loud prayer is that it is a matter of ijtihad (independent reasoning). Imam Malik based his argument on the hadith of Abu Hurairah, which indicates that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, admonished the Companions for reciting behind him in a loud prayer, whereupon they refrained. This is in addition to the command to listen attentively in the Qur'an and the practice of the people of Medina. As for Imam Al-Shafi'i and other imams, they based their argument on the hadith of 'Ubadah ibn As-Samit, which explicitly states the obligation of reciting Al-Fatiha behind the Imam, and this specifies the general command to listen attentively. As for clasping the hands in prayer, what has been reported from Malik aligns with the view of the majority. And as for Imam Abu Hanifa, he is one of the imams who greatly revered the Book and the Sunnah. He might have differed on some hadiths that did not reach him due to his distance from Medina, or due to a difference in ijtihad in understanding the proofs.