Rak‘āt of Tarāwīḥ: Eleven or More? The Shar‘ī Ruling
Source: Fatāwā Rāshidiyyah, p. 330
❖ Question
Tarāwīḥ prayer is Sunnah with eleven rak‘āt. But if someone wishes to pray more than eleven, is this permissible?
❖ Answer
Alḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh, ammā ba‘d!
In voluntary acts of worship, Allah ﷻ has not fixed a specific number or restriction. As Allah says:
﴿وَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًۭا فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَاكِرٌ عَلِيمٌ﴾ (Al-Baqarah: 158)
📖 Virtue of Nawāfil
Imam al-Bukhārī رحمه الله narrated from Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه that the Prophet ﷺ said:
((إن الله قال من عادى لى وليا فقد آذنته بالحرب… وما يزال عبدى يتقرب إلى بالنوافل حتى أحبه…))
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 6502)
This shows that the servant gains closeness to Allah through nawāfil without restriction.
📖 No Limit in Nawāfil
The Prophet ﷺ did not set a specific limit for voluntary worship. In the famous hadith of the Bedouin:
((خمس صلوات فى اليوم والليلة… قال هل على غيرها قال لا إلا أن تطوع…))
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 47)
This proves nawāfil are left to a person’s choice.
✦ Principles Regarding Nafl Worship
✔ It is permissible to perform as much voluntary worship as one can, seeking only closeness to Allah.
✔ But excess should not lead to fatigue, negligence in obligations, or deviation from balance.
✦ Tarāwīḥ in Particular
◈ Tarāwīḥ as an emphasized Sunnah is eleven rak‘āt.
◈ If someone prays more rak‘āt with the intention of nawāfil, it is permissible.
◈ These extra rak‘āt must not be regarded as farḍ, wājib, lazim, or sunnah mu’akkadah.
◈ Those who do not pray more should not be criticized.
◈ If extra rak‘āt are considered binding, this is transgression of Allah’s limits, which is injustice.
◈ In that case, instead of being a means of nearness, it would fall under bid‘ah sayyi’ah.
✦ Historical Aspect
✔ It is authentically reported in Sunan al-Kubrā of al-Bayhaqī that during the era of ‘Umar رضي الله عنه, twenty rak‘āt were prayed, and some Companions prayed even more.
✔ Although ‘Umar رضي الله عنه ordered eleven rak‘āt to be prayed in congregation, he did not prohibit additional rak‘āt.
❖ Conclusion
◈ From the Sunnah, Tarāwīḥ is established as eleven rak‘āt.
◈ Praying more, with the intention of nawāfil, is also permissible.
◈ Balance, correct intention, and avoiding innovation are essential.
ھذا ما عندی واللہ أعلم بالصواب
