What is the ruling on the pause before bowing, and is it a Sunnah or an innovation?

The jurists have diverse opinions regarding the pauses (saktāt) of the Imam in congregational loud prayers, including the pause before bowing (ruku'). The Hanbalis, Shafi'is, and Ibn Hazm consider it recommended, citing the hadith of Samurah as evidence. In contrast, the Malikis and Hanafis view it as not legislated due to the absence of authentic hadiths reaching them. The most preponderant opinion is the authenticity of the pause after the opening takbir (Takbirat al-Ihram) and the disapproval of a pause after Al-Fatiha to allow the congregant to recite it. As for the pause before bowing, it is a very slight pause to separate the recitation from the takbir of bowing, and the matter is flexible concerning it. Whoever practices it, it is good, and whoever leaves it, there is no harm.