This excerpt is taken from Kitab al-Sawm, compiled by Sheikh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amanpuri, may Allah preserve him.
Question:
Is it better to perform Taraweeh prayer in congregation or individually?
Answer:
Whoever has memorized the Quran should pray Qiyam himself; this is better and more virtuous for him. However, for the general public who have not memorized the Quran, it is better for them to perform Taraweeh prayer in congregation.
❀ Abdul Rahman bin Abdul Qari, may Allah have mercy on him, narrates:
خرجت مع عمر بن الخطاب رضي الله عنه ليلة في رمضان إلى المسجد فإذا الناس أوزاع متفرقون يصلي الرجل لنفسه ويصلي الرجل فيصلي بصلاته الرهط فقال عمر إني أرى لو جمعت هؤلاء على قارئ واحد لكان أمثل ثم عزم فجمعهم على أبي بن كعب ثم خرجت معه ليلة أخرى والناس يصلون بصلاة قارئهم قال عمر نعم البدعة هذه والتي ينامون عنها أفضل من التي يقومون يريد آخر الليل وكان الناس يقومون أوله
"One night in Ramadan, I went out towards the mosque with Sayyiduna Umar bin Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him. People were divided into different groups. Some were praying alone, and some were praying in congregation. Sayyiduna Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, said: In my opinion, it would be very good if they were gathered behind one reciter. He, may Allah be pleased with him, made a firm resolve and gathered the people behind Sayyiduna Ubayy bin Ka'b, may Allah be pleased with him, to lead the prayer. One night, I went out again with him. People were praying behind one reciter, so Sayyiduna Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, said: How good is this renewal! However, those who sleep at this time and pray in the last part of the night are better than them."
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari: 2010)
❀ Hafiz Bayhaqi, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (458 AH)
, says:فيه دلالة على فعل صلاة التراويح بالجماعة أفضل لمن لا يكون حافظا للقرآن
"This is evidence that for one who is not a Hafiz of the Quran, it is better for him to perform Taraweeh prayer in congregation."
Reference: (Fada'il al-Awqat, under number: 123)
Question:
How is it to leave the nearby mosque and go to a distant mosque to perform Taraweeh?
Answer:
It is permissible.
Question:
How is it to leave the main mosque and perform Taraweeh in the adjacent mosque?
Answer:
It is permissible.
Question:
Some traders perform Taraweeh for three, five, or ten days and do not perform it for the rest of Ramadan. How is this?
Answer:
It is not appropriate to do this; one should perform Qiyam throughout Ramadan. Occasionally encourage people. Some Hafiz start by reciting one and a half or two Juz at the beginning of Ramadan and then reduce it significantly towards the end. This is one reason why people fall behind in Taraweeh. Imams should recite one Juz daily, as this is convenient and easy for both the reciters and the listeners. Whether a quarter of a Juz or a full Juz is recited in Taraweeh, the difference is only about fifteen to twenty minutes.
Another reason understood is that twenty Rak'ahs of Taraweeh are burdensome for people, and twenty Rak'ahs of Taraweeh are not Sunnah either. Therefore, if eight Rak'ahs of Sunnah Taraweeh are performed, this problem seems to be largely resolved. Most often, the laziness in Taraweeh is shown by those who do not perform the obligatory prayers throughout the year. Neglecting the obligatory prayers leads to neglecting the voluntary prayers, and neglecting voluntary prayers causes laziness and negligence in obligatory prayers. Therefore, Muslims should never abandon prayer, which is the proof of faith.
Question:
Can Taraweeh prayer be performed sitting?
Answer:
Taraweeh prayer is a Nafl (voluntary) prayer, and Nafl prayers can be performed sitting without an excuse, however, their reward will be halved.
Question:
Can Taraweeh be performed in sets of four Rak'ahs?
Answer:
Taraweeh should be prayed two rak'ahs at a time; this is the Sunnah. There is no evidence for praying four rak'ahs at a time.
❀ Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates:
إن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يصلي بالليل إحدى عشرة ركعة يوتر منها بواحدة فإذا فرغ منها اضطجع على شقه الأيمن حتى يأتيه المؤذن فيصلي ركعتين خفيفتين
"The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to pray eleven rak'ahs at night, including one Witr. When he finished, he would lie down on his right side. Then the Mu'adhdhin would come, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) would pray two Sunnah rak'ahs."
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari: 994, Sahih Muslim: 736, and the wording is his)
❀ Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates:
كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يصلي إحدى عشرة ركعة يسلم بين كل ركعتين ويوتر بواحدة
"The Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) used to pray eleven rak'ahs. After every two rak'ahs, he would give salam, and he would pray one Witr."
Reference: (Sahih Muslim: 736/122)
Imam Tahawi Hanafi (may Allah have mercy on him) refutes those who consider praying the night prayer four rak'ahs with one salam as Sunnah and use the hadith of Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) as evidence.
❀ Imam Tahawi Hanafi (may Allah have mercy on him)
Reference: (321 AH)
says: قيل له فقد روى الزهري عن عروة عن عائشة رضي الله عنها أنه كان يسلم بين كل اثنتين منهن وهذا الباب إنما يؤخذ من جهة التوقيف والاتباع لما فعل رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وأمر به وفعله أصحابه من بعده فلم نجد عند من فعله ولا من قوله أنه أباح أن يصلى في الليل بتكبيرة أكثر من ركعتين وبذلك نأخذ وهو أصح القولين عندنا في ذلك
"Those people (who say the night prayer is Sunnah by praying four rak'ahs with one salam) should be answered that Zuhri from Urwah from Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) would give salam after every two rak'ahs. This matter is Taqdeemi (based on the Prophet’s practice) and the Prophet (peace be upon him) should be followed in it, because the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) did so and said so, and after him, his companions also did the same. Those who pray the night prayer four rak'ahs at a time have no evidence from the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) or any hadith that proves praying more than two rak'ahs with one salam at night. Our position is this, and according to us, the most correct opinion in this matter is this."
Reference: (Sharh Ma'ani al-Athar: 1/336)
Question:
Can a congregation for Taraweeh prayer be formed with two followers?
Answer:
Yes, it can.
Question:
Can there be a congregation for Nawafil after Taraweeh?
Answer:
When someone has performed Taraweeh, they can later offer additional Nawafil, for example, a person may stay awake at night by offering extra Nawafil after Taraweeh in search of Laylat al-Qadr. These Nawafil can be offered individually or in congregation. The main issue is that there is no restriction on offering Nawafil at any time except during prohibited times. This is supported by the practice of the Salaf.
❀ Qais bin Talq, may Allah have mercy on him, narrates that one day during Ramadan, Sayyidna Talq bin Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, came to us. Evening came, and we had Iftar with him. That same night, he made us stand in prayer and led us in Witr. Then he went to his mosque and led his companions in prayer. When Witr remained, he appointed a man to lead and said: Lead your companions in Witr. I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, say:
لا وتران في ليلة
"One does not offer Witr twice in one night."
Reference: (Sunan Abi Dawood: 1439, Sunan an-Nasa'i: 1680, Sunan at-Tirmidhi: 470, with a good chain, also narrated by Ahmad: 4/23, with a good chain as well)
Imam Tirmidhi, may Allah have mercy on him, classified this hadith as Hasan, while Imam Ibn Khuzaymah, may Allah have mercy on him (1101), and Imam Ibn Hibban, may Allah have mercy on him (2449), classified it as Sahih.
❀ Hafiz Ibn Hajar, may Allah have mercy on him, also classified it as Hasan.
Reference: (Fath al-Bari: 2/481)
Question:
How is it to recite salutations and peace aloud after Taraweeh?
Answer:
It is an innovation. It is not proven from the predecessors of the Ummah to do so.
Question:
How is it to give and take compensation for the reciter who leads Taraweeh at the end of Ramadan?
Answer:
It is permissible; this is not compensation for reciting the Quran, rather it is a gift and present from the congregation.
Question:
Is there a reward for listening to the Quran during Taraweeh?
Answer:
Why not.
Question:
If a Shia joins the congregation and offers a morsel (to the Imam), what is the ruling?
Answer:
If a Shia gives a morsel to the Imam and the Imam accepts it, then there is no harm in the prayer; the prayer will not be invalidated.
Question:
Is it permissible to say "Allahu Akbar" at the end of every Surah after Surah Ad-Duha?
Answer:
It is not permissible. This is an innovation that started after the era of Khair (the best time).
Question:
If someone recites one Surah in the first Rak'ah of Taraweeh and Surah Ikhlas in every second Rak'ah of Taraweeh, is there any harm?
Answer:
It is permissible, provided that he does not consider doing so as Sunnah or obligatory.
Question:
If a person performs Taraweeh prayer in congregation at home but does not perform it in congregation at the mosque, what is the ruling?
Answer:
Performing Taraweeh in congregation at home is also permissible.
Question:
When should the remaining Rak'ahs of Taraweeh be performed?
Answer:
One should perform them after Witr with the Imam, or leave Witr with the Imam, complete the remaining Rak'ahs of Taraweeh first, and then perform Witr alone.
Question:
Is it permissible to make Dua after Taraweeh and Witr prayers?
Answer:
Dua can be made at any time, provided it is not specified for a particular time and it is not considered that Dua is recommended or obligatory at that time.
Question:
How is it to arrange a sermon or lesson after two or four Rak'ahs of Taraweeh?
Answer:
It is permissible; firstly, people will not become tired, and secondly, they will receive admonition and advice. It is better to summarize the portion of the Quran recited in Taraweeh.
Question:
There are several reciters in the mosque, each reciter leads two rak'ahs of Taraweeh, is this permissible?
Answer:
It is permissible.
Question:
How is it to lead Taraweeh without any listeners?
Answer:
It is permissible.
Question:
How is it to pause silently to think due to forgetting during the recitation of Taraweeh?
Answer:
It is permissible; it does not harm the prayer, and there is no need for prostration of forgetfulness (sajdah sahw) for this.
Question:
How is it to disturb a Hafiz by giving him the wrong portion to recite?
Answer:
This is mischief; to play mischief with someone is a sin, and to do mischief in prayer is a grave sin.
Question:
Can one Hafiz lead Taraweeh in two mosques?
Answer:
Can recite.
❀ Qais bin Talq, may Allah have mercy on him, narrates that one day in Ramadan, Sayyiduna Talq bin Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, came to us. Evening came, and he broke the fast with us. That same night, he made us stand for prayer and taught us Witr. Then he went to his mosque and led his companions in prayer. When Witr remained, he appointed a man to lead and said: Lead your companions in Witr. I have heard the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, say:
لا وتران في ليلة
"One does not pray Witr twice in one night."
Reference: (Sunan Abi Dawood: 1439, Sunan an-Nasa'i: 1680, Sunan at-Tirmidhi: 470, with a good chain, also narrated by Ahmad: 4/23, with a good chain as well)
Question:
Is it permissible to read from different places when one forgets during Taraweeh?
Answer:
It is permissible.
Question:
Taraweeh is being performed in congregation, but some people separate from the congregation and engage in talking. What is the ruling?
Answer:
They are deprived of reward and blessings.
Question:
How much recitation should be done in Taraweeh?
Answer:
As many followers as want to listen. It is better to recite one Juz daily, so that by the end of the month the Quran is completed and it does not become a burden on the listeners.
Question:
How is it to recite Bismillah aloud at the beginning of every Surah in Taraweeh?
Answer:
It can be recited loudly or softly.
Question:
Can a near-pubescent person lead Taraweeh prayers?
Answer:
Every sensible child can lead both obligatory and voluntary prayers, whether adult or minor.
Question:
If there is a Sajdah Tilawat in Taraweeh, will bowing (Ruku) suffice for it?
Answer:
Sajdah Tilawat cannot be performed without actual prostration; saying that intending Sajdah Tilawat during Ruku fulfills it is baseless.
Question:
A Hafiz has not grown a beard or mustache; he is twenty years old. Is it permissible to pray Taraweeh behind him?
Answer:
It is permissible without any hesitation.
Question:
Can there be two congregations of Taraweeh in one mosque?
Answer:
There can be many congregations of Taraweeh in one mosque.
Question:
How is it to recite up to والمفلحون again on the occasion of completing the Quran in Taraweeh?
Answer:
It is baseless.
Question:
If a person's wife is a Hafiza (one who has memorized the Quran), can he lead Taraweeh behind his wife?
Answer:
A woman cannot be an imam for men, neither in obligatory nor in voluntary prayers. There is consensus among scholars on this.
❀ Hafiz Ibn al-Jawzi, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (597 AH)
, says:تصح إمامة المرأة للرجال في موضع واحد وهو في صلاة التراويح إذا كانت المرأة تحفظ القرآن والرجال لا يحفظون إلا أنها تقف ورائهم
"There is one occasion when a woman can be an imam for men, and that is the Taraweeh prayer, in the case when the woman has memorized the Quran and the men have not, provided that she stands behind the men."
Reference: (Al-Nisa, p. 190)
This is the rare opinion of Hafiz Ibn al-Jawzi, may Allah have mercy on him.
Question:
Can women participate in the congregation of Taraweeh prayer in the mosque?
Answer:
They can, if there is a proper arrangement for purdah (covering/seclusion).
Question:
How is it to have Taraweeh led in shops?
Answer:
If the obligatory prayers are performed in congregation in the mosque and the Taraweeh congregation is held in the shop, then it is permissible.
Question:
How is it for one imam to lead half the rak'ahs of Taraweeh in two different mosques?
Answer:
It is permissible.
Question:
Is it permissible to pray Taraweeh as eight rak'ahs with one salam?
Answer:
It is not permissible; it is Sunnah to pray Taraweeh in sets of two rak'ahs.
Question:
Is there any Sunnah supplication established after every four rak'ahs of Taraweeh?
Answer:
The supplications or tasbihs recited at this time are not established from the Holy Prophet ﷺ, the Companions, the Followers, or the Muhaddithin, but rather they originated with some people.
