Source: Fatawa ‘Ulama-e-Hadith, Kitab al-Salah, Volume 1
However, the most balanced and correct view is that Tarāwīḥ should not be restricted to a fixed number. The night prayer, including Tarāwīḥ, contains flexibility and allowance; one may perform eleven rak‘āt or more, based on capacity and congregation norms.
The Prophet ﷺ said regarding the night prayer:
«صَلَاةُ اللَّيْلِ مَثْنَى مَثْنَى، فَإِذَا خَشِيَ أَحَدُكُمُ الصُّبْحَ، صَلَّى رَكْعَةً وَاحِدَةً تُوتِرُ لَهُ مَا قَدْ صَلَّى»
"Night prayer is in units of two rak‘āt. When one of you fears that dawn is near, let him pray one rak‘ah to make what he has prayed odd."
— Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim
This general Hadith shows that the night prayer—including Tarāwīḥ—is not confined to a specific number. Imam Ibn Bāz also supported this position, affirming the presence of ease and flexibility in the number of rak‘āt.
Abū Salamah ibn ʿAbd al-Raḥmān reported that he asked ʿĀ’ishah (رضي الله عنها) about the Prophet’s ﷺ prayer in Ramadan. She replied:
«مَا كَانَ يَزِيدُ فِي رَمَضَانَ وَلَا فِي غَيْرِهِ عَلَى إِحْدَى عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَةً...»
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ never prayed more than eleven rak‘āt in Ramadan or otherwise. He would pray four, and do not ask about their beauty and length, then another four, and then three."
— Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Hadith 1909; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Hadith 738
Thus, those who wish to follow the exact practice of the Prophet ﷺ may opt for eleven rak‘āt.
Others may pray more if desired, particularly if performed in shorter sets, as done by many companions and righteous generations.
و الله أعلم
(And Allah knows best)
❀ Question:
How many rak‘āt are there in the Tarāwīḥ prayer?❀ Answer:
There is a difference of opinion among scholars regarding the number of rak‘āt in Tarāwīḥ prayer. Some scholars uphold eleven rak‘āt, while others consider twenty rak‘āt as valid.However, the most balanced and correct view is that Tarāwīḥ should not be restricted to a fixed number. The night prayer, including Tarāwīḥ, contains flexibility and allowance; one may perform eleven rak‘āt or more, based on capacity and congregation norms.
The Prophet ﷺ said regarding the night prayer:
«صَلَاةُ اللَّيْلِ مَثْنَى مَثْنَى، فَإِذَا خَشِيَ أَحَدُكُمُ الصُّبْحَ، صَلَّى رَكْعَةً وَاحِدَةً تُوتِرُ لَهُ مَا قَدْ صَلَّى»
"Night prayer is in units of two rak‘āt. When one of you fears that dawn is near, let him pray one rak‘ah to make what he has prayed odd."
— Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim
This general Hadith shows that the night prayer—including Tarāwīḥ—is not confined to a specific number. Imam Ibn Bāz also supported this position, affirming the presence of ease and flexibility in the number of rak‘āt.
❖ The Prophet’s Practice
Though the Prophet ﷺ himself generally prayed eleven rak‘āt during both Ramadan and other nights, this was his consistent habit, not a binding limit.Abū Salamah ibn ʿAbd al-Raḥmān reported that he asked ʿĀ’ishah (رضي الله عنها) about the Prophet’s ﷺ prayer in Ramadan. She replied:
«مَا كَانَ يَزِيدُ فِي رَمَضَانَ وَلَا فِي غَيْرِهِ عَلَى إِحْدَى عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَةً...»
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ never prayed more than eleven rak‘āt in Ramadan or otherwise. He would pray four, and do not ask about their beauty and length, then another four, and then three."
— Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Hadith 1909; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Hadith 738
Thus, those who wish to follow the exact practice of the Prophet ﷺ may opt for eleven rak‘āt.
Others may pray more if desired, particularly if performed in shorter sets, as done by many companions and righteous generations.
و الله أعلم
(And Allah knows best)
