Question:
An imam of a mosque leads the Tarawih prayer and recites one full page (approximately 15 verses) in each rak‘ah. Some people complain that his recitation is too long, while others complain that it is too short. What is the Sunnah regarding the recitation in Tarawih? Has the Prophet ﷺ set a specific limit that defines whether a recitation is long or short?
Answer:
Authentic hadiths confirm that the Prophet ﷺ used to perform 11 rak‘ahs during the night, both in Ramadan and outside of it. However, his recitation and prayer postures were lengthy, to the extent that, on one occasion, he recited five entire Juz’ (parts) in a single rak‘ah, with proper tranquility and measured recitation.
It is also established that the Prophet ﷺ would wake up at midnight or a little before or after, and he would remain engaged in prayer until close to Fajr, completing thirteen rak‘ahs in about five hours. This indicates that his recitation and other prayer postures were quite long.
Furthermore, it is narrated that when Umar ibn al-Khattab (رضي الله عنه) gathered the Sahabah to perform Tarawih in congregation, the imam would recite approximately thirty verses (4 to 5 pages) per rak‘ah. By doing so, they would complete Surah Al-Baqarah in 8 rak‘ahs.
This establishes that lengthy recitation in Tarawih is Sunnah. However, the imam should also consider the condition of the congregation and maintain a moderate approach, ensuring that the prayer does not become a burden for the people.
(Shaykh Ibn Jibreen – رحمه الله)
