Can Voluntary (Nafl) Prayers Be Offered in Congregation After Tarawih?
Source: Fatāwā Amunpuri by Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amunpuri
Is it permissible to offer nafl prayers in congregation after performing Tarawih?
Yes, after completing Tarawih, one may certainly offer additional voluntary (nafl) prayers, especially in search of Laylat al-Qadr by remaining awake at night in worship. These nafl prayers may be offered individually or in congregation.
The core principle is:
Outside of the prohibited times for prayer, there is no restriction on offering voluntary prayers. This is further supported by the practice of the Salaf (pious predecessors).
Qays ibn Ṭalq رحمه الله narrates that during Ramadan, Sayyidunā Ṭalq ibn ʿAlī رضي الله عنه came to us one evening.
When it was time for ifṭār, he broke his fast with us.
That night, he led us in night prayer (qiyām) and offered witr.
He then went to his own mosque and led his companions in prayer.
When witr was yet to be offered, he appointed someone to lead them and said:
“Lead your companions in witr, for I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say:
لَا وِتْرَانِ فِي لَيْلَةٍ
‘There should be no two witr prayers in one night.’”
Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 1439, Sunan al-Nasā’ī: 1680, Sunan al-Tirmidhī: 470 – ḥasan isnād
Also narrated by Aḥmad: 4/23 – ḥasan isnād
✔ It is permissible to offer extra nafl prayers after Tarawih.
✔ These can be offered individually or in congregation.
✔ However, one must not repeat witr, as only one witr prayer is allowed per night.
Source: Fatāwā Amunpuri by Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amunpuri
❖ Question:
Is it permissible to offer nafl prayers in congregation after performing Tarawih?
❖ Answer:
Yes, after completing Tarawih, one may certainly offer additional voluntary (nafl) prayers, especially in search of Laylat al-Qadr by remaining awake at night in worship. These nafl prayers may be offered individually or in congregation.
The core principle is:
Outside of the prohibited times for prayer, there is no restriction on offering voluntary prayers. This is further supported by the practice of the Salaf (pious predecessors).
✿ Example from the Salaf:
Qays ibn Ṭalq رحمه الله narrates that during Ramadan, Sayyidunā Ṭalq ibn ʿAlī رضي الله عنه came to us one evening.
When it was time for ifṭār, he broke his fast with us.
That night, he led us in night prayer (qiyām) and offered witr.
He then went to his own mosque and led his companions in prayer.
When witr was yet to be offered, he appointed someone to lead them and said:
“Lead your companions in witr, for I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say:
لَا وِتْرَانِ فِي لَيْلَةٍ
‘There should be no two witr prayers in one night.’”
Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 1439, Sunan al-Nasā’ī: 1680, Sunan al-Tirmidhī: 470 – ḥasan isnād Also narrated by Aḥmad: 4/23 – ḥasan isnād✿ Grading of the Ḥadīth:
- Imām al-Tirmidhī رحمه الله: Declared it ḥasan
- Imām Ibn Khuzaymah رحمه الله and Imām Ibn Ḥibbān رحمه الله: Declared it ṣaḥīḥ
- Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar رحمه الله: Also graded it ḥasan
Fatḥ al-Bārī: 2/481
Conclusion:
✔ It is permissible to offer extra nafl prayers after Tarawih.
✔ These can be offered individually or in congregation.
✔ However, one must not repeat witr, as only one witr prayer is allowed per night.
