This excerpt is taken from the book of Fadhilat al-Shaykh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani رحمه الله Ahkam wa Masail Ramadan.
Taraweeh Prayer and Night Vigil:.
The term "Taraweeh" is a technical name established by scholars; otherwise, this word is not found in the Hadith of the Messenger. According to Hadith, it is referred to as Qiyam Ramadan, Salat al-Ramadan, Qiyam al-Lail, or Salat al-Lail. The three nights of prayer that the Noble Prophet ﷺ performed with the Companions رضي الله عنهم were named Taraweeh. This is also accepted among the Hanafi scholars.
When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ observed that the Companions رضي الله عنهم were eagerly participating in this night prayer, he discontinued the congregation and said:
إنى خشيت ان تكتب عليكم صلاة الليل
"I fear that this night prayer (Salat al-Lail) may be made obligatory upon you."
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Adhan, Chapter: When there is a wall between the Imam and the people (729), Sahih Muslim, Book of Prayer of Travelers, Chapter: Encouragement to perform Qiyam Ramadan (761)
Reference: Al-Tahawi (1/242)
contains the words of Qiyam al-Lail. In any case, it is evident from this authentic Hadith that what he led for three nights was indeed referred to as Salat al-Lail or Qiyam al-Lail; therefore, all authentic Hadiths regarding the number of Rak'ahs of Qiyam al-Lail indicate the number of Taraweeh.The Virtue of Night Prayer:
Sayyidina Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
من قام رمضان إيمانا واحتسابا غفر له ما تقدم من ذنبه
"Whoever stands in prayer during Ramadan with faith and seeking reward, his previous sins will be forgiven."
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Taraweeh, Chapter on the Virtue of Those Who Stand in Ramadan (2009), Sahih Muslim, Book of Prayer for Travelers, Chapter on Encouragement to Stand in Ramadan (759)
عن عمرو بن مرة الجهني قال جاء رجل إلى النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال: يارسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ارأيت إن شهدت أن لا إله إلا الله وأنك رسول الله وصليت الصلوت الخمس واديت الزكوة وصمت رمضان وقمته فممن أنا؟ قال من الصديقين والشهداء
Sayyidina Amr bin Murrah رضي الله عنه said: A man came to the Noble Prophet ﷺ and said: O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! Will you inform me that if I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that you are the Messenger of Allah, and I perform the five daily prayers, give Zakat, fast during Ramadan, and stand in prayer during it, among whom will I be? The Prophet ﷺ replied: Among the Siddiqin and the martyrs.
Reference: Mawaarid al-Zamaan (19), Musnad al-Bazzar (22/1/ 252)
For a detailed discussion on Taraweeh and the evidence from both sides, please refer to our book "Maqalat Arbaniah."
From the aforementioned authentic Hadith, it is evident that there is a great virtue in standing in prayer during Ramadan. Allah, the Exalted, will forgive the previous sins of His servant and will raise him on the Day of Resurrection among His righteous servants, the Siddiqin and the martyrs. May Allah, the Exalted, bestow His special mercy upon us and gather us with those people. آمين
The time for Taraweeh is from after the Isha prayer until Fajr, and it can be performed at any time during this period. It is a Sunnah prayer of eleven Rak'ahs. This was the general practice of the Prophet ﷺ. At times, he ﷺ would also vary the number. The scholars of the Hanafi school also hold the same view that eleven Rak'ahs are Sunnah. Here, I will mention only one Hadith:
عن أبى سلمة بن عبد الرحمن أنه سأل عائشة كيف كانت صلوة رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فى رمضان فقالت: ما كان يزيد فى رمضان ولا فى غيره على إحدى عشرة ركعة
Abu Salamah bin Abdur Rahman رحمه الله asked Sayyida Aisha رضي الله عنها: How was the prayer (Taraweeh) of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ during Ramadan? She replied: Whether it was the month of Ramadan or any other month of the year, he would not pray more than eleven Rak'ahs. This was his general practice. This has been reported by nearly all the scholars of Hadith رحمهم الله in the context of Taraweeh.
