Taraweeh Prayers - 8 or 20 rakats?

[Happy 2BA Muslim]

:salam2: Brothers and Sisters,

The ideal number of units for Tarâwîh prayer is a matter of disagreement among the people of knowledge.

However, there is agreement among the people of knowledge that there is no fixed limit for the number of units of Tarâwîh prayer.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“The night prayer is two units then two units then if the one of you expects the falling of morning prayer he can pray one unit to singular what he had prayed”.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) never determined fixed a specific number of units for the Tarâwîh prayer.

It was only related that he used to pray eleven units nightly in Ramadan and at other times.

It is related in Sahîh al-Bukhârî and Sahîh Muslim that Âishah said:

“The Prophet (peace be upon him) never prayed more than eleven units, whether in Ramadan or in other times. He used to pray four – do not ask how perfect and long were they – then he would pray four, do not ask how perfect and long were they – then he would pray three.”

The disagreement of the people of knowledge on the number of units of Tarâwîh should ideally be is as follows:

a. The prayer should be performed as twenty units. This to according to the Hanbalî school of thoughts.

b. The prayer should be performed as thirty-six units. This is according to the Mâlikî school of thought.

c. The prayer should be performed as eleven units.

The most balanced opinion on this issue is that the number of units should vary depending upon the length of time given to each unit of prayer. This means that if the imam limits the number of the verses he recites and keeps brief the amount of time he takes for bowing and prostrating, then it is preferred for him to increase the total number of units prayed.

Likewise, if he lengthens his recitation and the time he takes for bowing and prostrating, then it is preferred that he decreases the number of units.

Each and every one of these sayings has evidence. Those who prefer twenty units rely on the act of `Umar gathering the people to pray twenty units as related by al-Sâ’b b. Yazîd in al-Muwatta’. This was also related from Sa`îd b. Jubayr, Abû Mijlad, Abû Ayyûb and others.

No doubt, many of the Companions prayed behind these people. It was never related that any of them had objected or denied the permissibility of such a prayer.

The conclusion is that there is no limit for the number of units that may be prayed in the Tarâwîh prayer. The Prophet (peace be upon him) did not determine a specific number. He only said: “The night prayer is two units then two units.” As we said, the might vary according to the length of time alloted to each unit.

Please keep in mind that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“Whoever prays with the imam until the imam leaves will have the reward of praying throughout the night.”

Therefore, it is better in Ramadan – but not obligatory – to pray with the imam until the imam finishes the prayer.

Also, please note that the night prayer is more general than either Tarâwîh or Tahajjud. It is called Tarâwîh when it occurs in Ramadân and is customarily performed at an earlier time.

:salam2:

 

[ditta]

Assalaamu'Alaykum,

http://www.turntoislam.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39517

The above link is a thread titled "The Virtue of Fasting and Standing for Prayer at Night During Ramadhan".

Here is a portion from the Fatawa by Shaykh Abdullah bin Baaz Rahimahullaah.

From the matters which some of the people are unaware of their ruling is some people's thinking that it is not permissible to pray less than 20 Rak'ahs (units) of Salatut-Tarawih. Also, some people mistakenly think that it is not permissible to pray more than 11 or 13 Rak'ahs of Salatut-Tarawih. All of this is incorrect thinking, and it is a mistake that is opposed to the evidences.

Verily, the authentic Hadiths from the Messenger of Allah prove that the night prayer is an easy matter. There is no fixed limit that is impermissible to oppose concerning it. Rather, it is confirmed from the Prophet that he used to pray 11 Rak'ahs during the night and sometimes he might pray 13 Rak'ahs. Sometimes he would pray less than that, both during Ramadhan and in other times. When he was asked about the night prayer he said:

"In sets of two, in sets of two. Then when one of you fears the coming of morning, he prays one (Rak'ah) that will serve as a Witr (i.e. make the number odd) of what he has prayed."

[Al-Bukhari no. 990 and Muslim no. 749]

The authenticity of this Hadith has been agreed upon.

He (the Prophet ) did not fix a specific number of Rak'ahs, neither in Ramadhan nor in any other times. For this reason, the Companions (radhiyaAllaahu anhuma) sometimes prayed 23 Rak'ahs, and sometimes 11 Rak'ahs in the time of Umar (radhiyaAllaahu anh). All of that has been confirmed from Umar and the Companions in his time.

Some of the Salaf used to pray 36 Rak'ahs during Ramadhan and then pray three Rak'ahs of Witr prayer. Some of them prayed 41 Rak'ahs. Shaykhul-Islam ibn Taymiyyah mentioned this from them and that the matter concerning this is broad (i.e. easy). He also mentioned that it is better for whoever lengthens his recitation, bowing and prostrating to lessen the number of Rak'ahs, and whoever lightens (shortens) the recitation, bowing and prostrating, to increase the number of Rak'ahs. This is the meaning of his statement, may Allah have mercy on him.

Whoever pays close attention to his (the Prophet's) Sunnah will know that what is best in regard to all of this is to pray 11 or 13 Rak'ahs during Ramadhan and other times. This is because that is in agreement with the practice of the Prophet in most of his situations (i.e. what he usually did). Also, this is easier for those who are offering prayer and better for humility and tranquility (in the prayer). Whoever prays more, there is no harm in that nor any dislike, as was mentioned previously. What is best for whoever prays with the Imam (of the Masjid) in the night prayer of Ramadhan is that he does not stop until the Imam stops praying. This is due to the statemnet of the Prophet :

"Verily, if the man stands for night prayer with the Imam until he finishes, Allah will write for him (the reward of) standing the entire night (in prayer)."

[Abu Dawud 1375, At-Tirmidhee no. 806, Ibn Maajah no. 1327 and Ahmad 5:159.]

Insha'Allaah this makes it clear.

Walaykum Salaam.

 

[Happy 2BA Muslim]

Assalaamu'Alaykum,

Insha'Allaah this makes it clear.

Walaykum Salaam.

CRYSTAL CLEAR!!! :shake:

Jazak Allahu khayran!

:salam2:

 

[ditta]

CRYSTAL CLEAR!!! :shake:

Jazak Allahu khayran!

:salam2:

Walaykum Salaam,

Yay! It was in front of our face the whole time.

:shake:

 

[Happy 2BA Muslim]

Walaykum Salaam,

Yay! It was in front of our face the whole time.

:shake:

:salam2:



Must of been the dark sunglasses.

:salam2:

 

[ditta]

Assalaamu'Alaykum,

Alhamdu'Lillaah everything is clear.

Brother Al-Kashmiri's initial response was correct. I have taken a portion of it:

If one were to actually read the works of Shaykh Al-Albaanee on the subject and pay attention to his statements, they will realise that he only condluded that following the Messenger, sall-Allaahu `alayhi wasallam, by praying 8 rak`ahs is better than following the companions and Imaams who prayed 20 rak`ahs, or praying 36 rak`ahs like the Maalikis, etc. Anyway, the difference of opinion here is of genuine differing, so let's not start claiming ijmaa`. In fact, the claim of ijmaa` would oppose a mutually agreed upon hadeeth,

"Whether it was Ramadan or any other month, Allaah's Messenger, sall-Allaahu `alayhi wasallam did not pray more than eleven rak`aat. He would pray four - and do not ask about their beauty of length. Then he would pray four - and do not ask about their beauty or length. Then he would pray three".

[Agreed upon. Also recorded by Aby Daawood, At-Tirmidhee, An-Nasaa'ee, Ahmad, Maalik, Al-Bayhaqi, Abu `Uwaanah and others]​

Imaam As-Suyootee said (see Al-Hawlee lil-Fataawee),

"We conclude that praying twenty rak`aat was not substantiated by his action, sall-Allaahu `alayhi wasallam. The hadeeth recorded by Ibn Hibbaan strongly supports our position of adhering to what Al-Bukhaaree has recorded from the hadeeth of `Aa'ishah, that he, sall-Allaahu `alayhi wasallam, did not pray, whether in Ramadaan or any other month. more than 11 rak`aat..."

And the remaining which was addressed to Brother Humblewun:

Shaykh `Uthaymeen, rahimahullaah, mentioned that it is better that even if the Imaam is praying 20 rak`aat, that you stay behind and finish with the Imaam. The reason for this is due to the hadeeth which states that one who prays with the Imaam until he finishes, then it is recorded for him that he prayed the whole night. Hence if you pray 8 and then leave, you are short of this reward. I can't find the fatwa now, when I do I'll post it.

Hope it helps.

So practically the response answered what was originally questioned.

Brother Humble requested a Fatawa in relation to this, Insha'Allaah this post will fulfil that:

http://www.turntoislam.com/forum/showpost.php?p=253885&postcount=22

The reference for this is included in the orginal thread, but here is the reference never the less:

Fatawa Islamiyah, Volume 3 - Mosques, Funerals, Zakah, Fasting and Sales Transactions (1), Book of Fasting, Pg. 211 - 216

So in the end, what brother Al-Kashmiri said was correct, the key thing to note is he said that al-Alabaanee rahimahullaah said and al-Uthaymeen rahimahullaah said. Insha'Allaah everyone noticed that.

There is no reason for this thread to remain open.

May Allah forgive us all and have mercy upon us all. Ameen.

Walaykum Salaam.