Taraweeh - Questions & Answers

Question: How many Rak’at are there in Taraweeh?

Answer: There are 20 Rak’at in Taraweeh. According to a Hadith narrated by Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbaas (Radiyallahu Anhuma), Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam) was performing 20 Rak’at and Witr during the month of Ramadhan. (Al Baihaqi/Mousannaf Bin Abu Shaibah /Tibrani)

Question: Some say that this Hadith is weak because there is a Rawi (narrator) called Ibraheem bin Us'maan in its Sanad who is weak according to the scholars.

Answer: You are perfectly right that the Hadith is weak due to the presence of Ibraheem bin Us'maan in its Sanad. However, there is another principle that says that a weak Hadith may be considered if its content is supported by the practice of the Sahabah-e-Kiraam (Radiyallahu Anhum) and the Tabi’in. The case of this Hadith is also the same. It is supported by the practice of the Sahabah-e-Kiraam (Radiyallahu Anhum) and the Tabi’in. Hazrat Said bin Yazeed said: 

“They [the Sahabah (Radiyallahu Anhum)] were performing 20 Rak’at during the month of Ramadhan during the time of Hazrat Umar (Radiyallahu Anhu).” (Al Baihaqi)

Hazrat Yazeed bin Roumaan said: “During the time of Hazrat Umar (Radiyallahu Anhu) they were performing 23 (20 Taraweeh + 3 Witr) Rak’at during Ramadhan.” (Al Baihaqi)

Hazrat Abu Abdur-Rahmaan As-Salami and Hazrat Abul Hasana say:

“Hazrat ‘Ali (Radiyallahu Anhu) had commanded a person to make the people accomplish 5 "Tarweehah" i.e. 20 Rak’at.” (Al Baihaqi)

N.B: A Tarweeha is 4 Rak’at. 5 Tarweehah is equivalent to 20 Rak’at.

Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas'ud (Radiyallahu Anhu) was performing 20 Rak’at and 3 Rak’at of Witr. (Umdat-ul Qari- commentary of Bukhari by Allaamah Badrouddeen Al Ayni)

This is because the practice of the Sahabah-e-Kiraam (Radiyallahu Anhum) was of 20 Rak’at of Taraweeh. According to the principle established by the scholars of Hadith that one can consider the Hadith of Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbaas (Radiyallahu Anhu). In such a situation, a weak Hadith also is reinforced and becomes strong.

Question: Is it necessary to perform Taraweeh in Jamaat?

Answer: Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) performed Taraweeh in Jamaat for three days during Ramadhan. During the time of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam), a group of Sahabah-e-Kiraam (Radiyallahu Anhum) performed Taraweeh in Jamaat in one corner in the Masjid and Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) approved of it. During the time of Hazrat Umar (Radiyallahu Anhu) also, there were several groups that were performing the Salah of Taraweeh in different Jamaat which were later on regrouped by Hazrat Umar (Radiyallahu Anhu) into only one Jamaat behind only one Imaam. Hazrat ‘Usmaan (Radiyallahu Anhu) and Hazrat ‘Alî (Radiyallahu Anhu) had organised the Salah of Taraweeh in Jamaat during their respective reigns. After them, the Taabi'in also accomplished it in Jamaat. All these are sufficient to show that the Salah of Taraweeh in Jamaat is Sunnah. However, the fact that during those eras, there were some groups, who did not participate in the Jamaat and that was not disapproved by anyone, makes it clear that it is a Sunnah which is not applicable to every individual.

Such a Sunnah is called Sunnah alal Kifaayah. Therefore, Taraweeh is Sunnah Muakkadah on every individual but performing it in Jamaat is Sunnah alal Kifaayah. That is, there must be a group of people who accomplish it in Jamaat in the Masjid in every locality so that every individual in that locality is acquitted of his responsibility. Otherwise, every individual will be responsible and guilty of neglecting a Sunnah.

Question: Is Taraweeh Sunnah for women also?

Answer: Yes, Taraweeh is Sunnah for women also.

[English version of "Tarawih - Questions & reponses" – Al Jamiat – Vol.1 No.14]