Number of Rak'ahs for Taraweeh

Author: Abu Sadiq Ashiq Ali Athari (Hafizahullah)

Rak'ahs of Taraweeh:​

1. Consensus on Twenty Rak'ahs:
   • There was never a consensus of the Muslim Ummah on twenty rak'ahs for Taraweeh during the time of Caliph Umar (رضي الله عنه), before or after.
2. Considering Twenty Rak'ahs in Congregation as Sunnah:
   • Believing that praying twenty rak'ahs of Taraweeh in congregation is the Sunnah of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) is completely baseless and false. The commonly cited mursal (disconnected) narration supporting twenty rak'ahs relies on a narrator, Abu Shaybah Ibrahim bin Uthman, who has been unanimously declared weak by scholars of hadith. Some even went as far as labeling him as a liar, such as Imam Shuba. Imam Suyuti remarked that it is not permissible to narrate from him.
3. Taraweeh with Eight Rak'ahs:
   • Authentic and accepted narrations from the Prophet’s (صلى الله عليه وسلم) actions and approvals prove Taraweeh with eleven rak'ahs including Witr or eight rak'ahs without Witr.
4. Acknowledge of the Sunnah of Eleven Rak'ahs:
   • Throughout Islamic history, from the time of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) until recent times, no one has denied that eleven rak'ahs of Taraweeh is from the Sunnah of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم). Some moderate Hanafi scholars have also acknowledged this. Questioning whether people acted upon this Sunnah is irrelevant and is an excuse used by some to avoid following the authentic Sunnah.
5. The Issue of Twenty Rak'ahs during Umar's Time:
   • The claim that twenty rak'ahs were prayed by the order or approval of Caliph Umar (رضي الله عنه) cannot be established based on the accepted principles of the hadith scholars. Even if it were true, it would be based on Umar’s reasoning and ijtihad (personal judgment), not a clear, authentic hadith. On the other hand, Umar’s statement about praying eleven rak'ahs is authentically proven, and many senior scholars of the Ummah accept that this was based on the Sunnah of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم).
   • [Reference: Anwar Masabeeh by Allama Nazir Ahmad Rahmani, pages 348 and 349]

The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) Never Prayed More than Eleven Rak'ahs:​

Now that it has been established that congregational Taraweeh is a recommended practice, as the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) saw the people praying in congregation and did not stop them but rather encouraged it, we move to the question: How many rak'ahs did the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) pray when he led the people in Taraweeh? Two hadiths provide the answer:

1. Hadith of Aisha (رضي الله عنها):
   • Abu Salamah bin Abdul Rahman narrated that he asked Aisha (رضي الله عنها) how the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) prayed during Ramadan. She replied:
     "The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) never prayed more than eleven rak'ahs, neither in Ramadan nor outside of it. He would pray four rak'ahs, and do not ask about their beauty and length. Then, he would pray another four, and do not ask about their beauty and length. Then, he would pray three rak'ahs (Witr)."
     (Reported by Al-Bukhari, Hadith 2014; Muslim, Hadith 166)
2. Hadith of Jabir bin Abdullah (رضي الله عنه):
   • Jabir (رضي الله عنه) reported:
     "The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) led us in prayer during the month of Ramadan, praying eight rak'ahs and then Witr. On the following night, we gathered again in the mosque, hoping that he would come out, but we waited until morning. We then went to him and said, 'O Messenger of Allah, we gathered in the mosque last night, hoping that you would pray with us.' He said, 'I feared that it would become obligatory upon you.'"
     (Reported by Ibn Nusayr, and its chain of narration is strengthened by Hafiz Ibn Hajar and Al-Tahawi.)

The Hadith of Twenty Rak'ahs is Weak and Cannot Be Acted Upon:​

Hafiz Ibn Hajar (رحمه الله) said in his explanation of the hadith of Aisha (رضي الله عنها) in "Fath al-Bari":

• "As for the narration of Ibn Abi Shaybah from Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنه) that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) used to pray twenty rak'ahs in Ramadan, its chain is weak. It contradicts the hadith of Aisha (رضي الله عنها) found in Sahihayn (Bukhari and Muslim). Aisha (رضي الله عنها) was more knowledgeable than anyone else about the Prophet’s nightly prayers."

This hadith of twenty rak'ahs is severely weak due to the presence of Ibrahim bin Uthman, who has been labeled as unreliable by hadith scholars like Imam Suyuti. Scholars such as Ibn Ma'in and Shu’ba also criticized him.

The Sunnah is Eleven or Thirteen Rak'ahs:​

Those who examine the Prophet’s Sunnah will find that the best practice is to pray eleven or thirteen rak'ahs, whether in Ramadan or outside of it. This is the most reported and consistent action of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم). It provides ease for worshippers and allows for greater focus and humility in prayer.

• The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
  "When a person prays with the Imam until he finishes, it is recorded as if they prayed the entire night."
  (Sahih: Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith 1375; Sunan at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 810)

Ramadan is the Season of Worship:​

During Ramadan, all Muslims should strive to increase in various acts of worship, such as offering extra prayers, reciting the Qur'an thoughtfully, frequently saying "SubhanAllah," "Alhamdulillah," "Allahu Akbar," "La ilaha illallah," seeking forgiveness, making supplications from the Qur'an and Sunnah, enjoining good, forbidding evil, calling people to Islam, caring for the needy, showing kindness to parents, maintaining family ties, visiting the sick, and if possible, performing Umrah.

The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:

"An Umrah in Ramadan is equal to Hajj, or in another narration, equal to performing Hajj with me."

(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 1782; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1256)

May Allah grant us the ability to engage in righteous deeds, accept our fasting and standing in prayer, and improve our condition. May He protect us from trials and misguidance, and may He guide the leaders of the Muslims towards the truth. Indeed, He is capable of all things.

Peace and blessings of Allah be upon you.

(Compiled by Shaykh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah bin Baz – رحمہ الله)