Question:
Is Tarawih prayer merely a Sunnah, or is it a Sunnah Mu’akkadah (emphasized Sunnah)? Also, what is the correct way to perform it?
Answer:
Tarawih is a Sunnah Mu’akkadah (an emphasized Sunnah). The Prophet ﷺ encouraged it and said:
"Whoever stands (in prayer) during Ramadan with faith and seeking reward, his past sins will be forgiven."(Sahih Bukhari, Book of Tarawih, Hadith 2009 – Narrated by Abu Huraira رضي الله عنه)
(Sahih Muslim, Book of Travellers’ Prayer, Hadith 759)
The Prophet ﷺ once led the Sahabah in Tarawih prayer for a few nights, but then he stopped due to the fear that it might become obligatory upon them. However, he encouraged them to continue praying it individually. Consequently, some prayed alone, while others prayed in small groups.
During the Caliphate of Umar ibn Al-Khattab (رضي الله عنه), he observed that people were praying in scattered groups, so he gathered them under one Imam, ensuring that prayer and Quran recitation were performed in congregation. This tradition continues among Muslims to this day.
Shaykh Ibn Jibreen (رحمه الله)