The Salafi and 20 Rak'ats of Taraweeh

The Salaf are the Sahabah-e-Kiraam (Radiyallahu Anhum), the Taabi’een and the Tabi Taabi’een. To be a Salafi means to follow the principles of those who lived in these three epochs. We all know that the Sahabah-e-Kiraam (Raiyallahu Anhum) were unanimous on 20 Rak’at of Taraweeh and this practice continued in the epoch of the Taabi’een and the Tabi Taabi’een. Now, if a person claims to be a Salafi without accepting the 20 Rak’at of Taraweeh, this will look very surprising. The name “Salafi” does not suit him. This is a false claim. You can call yourself anything. If you go against the principles of those three epochs, this suffices to disqualify you from being a good Muslim. Besides, what type of Salafi will you be! Unless according to you, Salafi means someone who is not a good Muslim. 

A good Muslim looks for opportunities to perform Ibaadah. An Ibaadah, that our elders such as the Sahabah-e-Kiraam (Radiyallahu Anhum), the Taabi’een and the Tabi Taabi'een have practiced, must be something that is according to the Shari’ah. Thus, the practice of 20 Rak’at, is one of the practices that links us up to this noble caravan - the caravan of the Sahabah-e-Kiraam (Radiyallahu Anhum), the Taabi’een and the Tabi Taabi’een. Without following that caravan, it is impossible to reach the destination. To illustrate this, Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) said:

"Follow the great majority because whoever withdraws himself on one side, will be thrown into the Fire."

Thus, the one who turns his back on the practice of 20 Rak'aat of Taraweeh, is isolating himself and withdrawing himself from this noble caravan. Now, when you are not in a caravan and you are passionate to make the trip on your own, it is difficult to say that you will be able to reach the destination. You are fortunate if you are not devoured or attacked by thieves, pirates or criminals. But we should not risk our life and expose it to all types of danger.

The month of Ramadhan is a blessed month where immense favour of Allah Ta’ala descends night and day. This is an opportunity where people must make their best to do Ibaadah. It is very bad to discourage people from performing 20 Rak'at of Taraweeh and to advise them to be content with only 8 Rak’at. And that also on the basis of futile excuses. We must have confidence in our elders, that is, the Sahabah-e-Kiraam (Radiyallahu Anhum), the Taabi’een and the Tabi Taabi’een. In the same way, we must have confidence in what they did and practiced. It will be a shortcoming on our part to turn our back on what the Sahabah-e-Kiraam (Radiyallahu Anhum), the Taabi’een and the Tabi Taabi’een did. We must enter, at all costs, in the caravan of these noble people and thus, we will reach our destination, safe and sound, by the grace of Allah Ta’ala.

[English version of "Salafi et 20 rakaat taraweeh" – Al Jamiat – Vol. 4 No.14]