It is historically proved by the actions of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam), the Companions (RD), the Tabi’een (RH), the Tabe Tabi’een (RH), and the Mujtahid Imams (RH) that the Taraweeh prayer is twenty rak’ahs.

But in 1284 AH, a La-Madhabi Maulvi Sahib from Akbarabad of India first gave a fatwa of eight rakat taraweeh prayer. Then in 1285 AH, Maulana Muhammad Hussain Batalvi on the border of Punjab claimed to be Sunnah to pray eight rak’ahs of Taraweeh.

But soon after that, the Haqqani Ulema-e-Karam, who was knowledgeable about the Qur’an and Hadith, proved the fatwa of the eight rakat taraweeh as wrong and they rejected it.

In Arabia, Shaykh Naseeb Refa’i and Shaykh Nasiruddin Albani expressed the opinion of taraweeh eight rak’ahs at first in 1377 AH. At that time, Shaykh Atiyya Salim and the Jumhur Ulama of Arabia rejected their verdict. Haramain Sharifain, which has been going on practicing 20 raka’aah tarawih since Sahaba (RD) era, they did not follow their verdict for a single day and continued the practice of twenty rakat taraweeh in Baitullah Sharif and Masjid an-Nabawi. Which continues until this day.

Therefore, following the opinion of praying eight rak’ahs of taraweeh means rejecting the actions of the Sahabah (RD) and the Tabi’een (RH) and the Tabe Tabi’een (RH) while it ensures the following the newly created groups of bid’at. May Allah protect our good deeds and our Imaan. Ameen.

1

عن ابن عباس ان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يصلى فى رمضان عشرين ركعة والو

Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas (RD): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) used to pray twenty rak’ahs of Tarawih and Witr in Ramadan. (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, 5/225, Hadith No: 7692, Musnad Abd Bin Humayd, 218, Al-Mujamul Kabir, Hadith No: 12102, Majmauz Zawa’id, Hadith No: 172, Sunan Baihaqi Kubra, Hadith No: 4391)

2

عن جابر بن عبد الله قال خرج النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم ذات ليلة فى رمضان فصلى الناس اربعة وعشرون ركعة واوتر بثلاثة

Jabir (RD) said: “One night in the month of Ramadan, the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) came out. He led the Companions to pray 24 rak’ahs [4 rak’ahs of ‘Isha’ and 20 rak’ahs of taraweeh]. And he prayed three rak’ahs of Witr. [Tarikh Jurjan-27]

Since the evidence for the so-called Ahl-e-Hadith brothers should be only from the Qur’an and Sahih Hadith. meaning the words of Allah and the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam). No other person’s opinion is acceptable to them. The two Hadith they present for the proof of eight rakaa’h tarawih, these two Hadiths was not considered by Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam)) as Da’eef or authentic in regards to Tarawih (the purpose was different). Therefore, the Ghayr Muqallids can neither call these two Hadiths authentic nor Da’eef. Now it is a matter to notice whether is the act of consensus of the Ummah is on it or not? If it is seen that the actions of the Ummah are on it. Then the Hadith can be called as authentic by being accepted as a an action. Lets see what was the practice of Khulafa-e- Rashidah (RD), Tabi’een (RH), Tabe Tabieen (RH) and Jumhur Ulam Ikram of every era.

The command of Ameerul Mu’mineen Umar (RD)

عن يحيى بن سعيد ان عمر بن الخطاب امر رجلا يصلى بهم عشرين ركعة

Narrated by Yahya ibn Sa’eed: Umar bin Khattab (RD) ordered a man to pray twenty rak’ahs Tarawih. (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, 5/223)

Reign of Ameerul Mu’mineen Umar Ibnul Kattab (RD)

1

وروى مالك من طريق يزيد بن خصيفة عن السائب بن يزيد عشرين ركعة

Hadhrat Sa’ib said: During the time of ‘Umar (RD) there were twenty rak’ahs of taraweeh. (Fath al-Bari-4/436) whose certificate is in two places in Bukhari Shareef.

2

عن السائب بن يزيد ، قال : كنا نقوم في زمان عُمَر بن الخطاب رضي الله عنه بعشرين ركعة والوتر

Sa’ib ibn Yazid (RD) said: “We used to pray twenty rak’ahs of taraweeh and witr during the reign of ‘Umar (RD). (Sunan Sughra Lil Baihaqi, Hadith No. 833, Maarifatus Sunan Wal Ashar, Hadith No. 1443)

Imam Nawawi (RH), Subki (RH), Mulla Ali Qari (RH) and Suyuti (RH) said this narration to be authentic.

3

محمد بن كعب القرظى كان الناس يصلون فى زمان عمر بن الخطاب فى رمضان عشرين ركعة ويوترون بثلاث

Muhammad ibn Ka’b Kurzi said: “During the reign of ‘Umar Farooq (RD), the people used to pray twenty rak’ahs of taraweeh and three rak’ahs of Witr in Ramadan. [Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, 5/223]

4

عن يزيد بن رومان ، أنه قال : « كان الناس يقومون في زمان عمر بن الخطاب في رمضان بثلاث وعشرين ركعة »

Yazid bin Ruman said: “During the reign of ‘Umar (RD), people used to offer twenty rak’ahs of taraweeh and three rak’ahs of witr in Ramadan. (Maarifatus Sunan wal Ashar, Hadith No. 1443, Muwatta Malik, Hadith No. 380, Sunan Baihaqi Kubra, Hadith No. 4394)

5

عن الحسن ان عمر بن الخطاب جمع الناس على ابى بن كعب فكان يصلى بهم عشرين ركعة

Narrated by Hazrat Hasan (RD) : Umar (RD) gathered the people to Ubayy bin Ka’b (RD). And he used to lead twenty rak’ahs of taraweeh to the people. (Sunan Abu Dawood, 1/202, Siyaru Alamin Nubala, 1/400)

6

عن ابى بن كعب ان عمر بن الخطاب امره ان يصلى باليل فى رمضان فصلى بهم عشرين ركعة

Ubayy ibn Ka’b (RD) said: ‘Umar (RD) ordered me to pray Tarawih to the people. Twenty rak’ahs were prayed then. {Kanzul Ummal-8/264}

Imam Baihaqi, Allama Baji, Kashtallani, Ibn Qudaamah, Ibn Hajar Makki, Tahtawi, Ibn Humam (Rahmatullahi Alaihim) the author of the Ra’iq of Bahrur and others agreed on this and said: During the reign of Ameerul Mu’mineen Hazrat Umar Farooq (RD), the decision of all was decided on twenty rak’ahs of Tarawih. Before the British period, no Muhaddithin or Fuqaha denied it. And for an action to be considered as Sunnah, the condition is action should be uninterrupted since the era of Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam). So these twenty rak’ahs of taraweeh have been proved as Sunnah farooqi. This is the same ‘Umar about whom the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: “If there were to be a prophet after me, it would be ‘Umar RD.” He also said: ‘Umar RD is the strongest in respect of religion.” If twenty rak’ahs of taraweeh prayer are bid’ah, then all the Ansar and Muhajir companions of that time, including Hazrat Umar (RD), must be considered as following bid’ah (Naudhubillah) which is never true. Imam Ibn Taymiyyah (RH) said: Ubayy ibn Ka’b (RD) used to lead Tarawih among the Muhajireen and the Ansar. Not a single person raised any objection to this. So this has been proved tarawih was 20 raka’ah during the time, reign of Umar RD (Majmoo’ah Fataawa Ibn Taymiyyah, 33/112)

Reign of Ameerul Mumineen Hadrat Uthman (RD)

Sa’ib bin Yazid said: “During the reign of ‘Umar (RD), people used to pray twenty rak’ahs of taraweeh. And during the reign of Hazrat Uthman (RD), he used to lean on sticks due to long Qaraat. {Baihaqi-4/296}

It is not possible to name a single person during the reign of Uthman (RD) who used to leave the congregation after praying eight rak’ahs. Nor will there be a single person who has said twenty rak’ahs of taraweeh as bid’ah.

Reign of Ameerul Mu’mineen Hadrat Ali (RD)

1

عن ابى عبد الرحمن السلمى عن على قال دعى القراء فى رمضان فامر منهم رجلا يصلى بالناس عشرين ركعة قال وكان على يوتر بهم

Hazrat Abu Abdur Rahman Sulami said: Hazrat Ali (RA) used to call the Qurra (people who are Qaree) in the month of Ramadan. Then he would order one of them to recite twenty rak’ahs of taraweeh. And the congregation of Witr was led by Hazrat Ali (RD) himself. {Bayhaqi-4/496}

2

عن ابى الحسناء ان عليا امر رجلا ان يصلى بالناس خمس ترويحات عشرين ركعة

Hazrat Abul Hasna said: Hazrat Ali (RD) ordered a man to pray twenty rak’ahs with five taraweeh. (Sunan Kubra Lilbayhaqi, Hadith No. 4805, 4397, Kanzul Ummal, Hadith No. 23474)

Hazrat Ali (RD) himself narrated from the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) that whoever introduces a bid’ah, neither his Fard (obligatory) nor Nafl (optional) prayer will be accepted. (Bukhari-2/1084, Muslim-1/144)

When Ali (RD) heard a person calling again for the ‘Isha’ prayer after the Adhan was already called, he said, “Throw this Bid’ati out of the mosque.” {Bahrur Raek}

He saw a man praying Nafl before Eid prayers in the Eidgah (site of Eid prayer) and scolded the man very much. If twenty rak’ahs of taraweeh were bid’ah, why did he command it?

Before the British rule, not a single name of a Muhaddith or Faqih could be mentioned, who refused to recite twenty rak’ahs of Tarawih during the reign of Ali (RD). No one can name a person from that era who used to leave the mosque after praying eight rak’ahs of taraweeh. It should also be remembered that this hadith proves that the name of twenty rak’ah prayers has been narrated as Tarawih of Hazrat Ali (RD). No Khulafa- e- Rashidah or any Companion uttered the word which mentioned Tarawih is eight rak’ahs. There is no evidence of this in the Hadith.

3

عن زيد بن وهب قال كان عبد الله يصلي بنا في شهر رمضان فينصرف وعليه ليل قال الا  عمش كان يصلى عشرين ركعة ويوتر بثلث

Zayd bin Wahhab said: ‘Abdullah bin Mas’ood (RD) used to lead us Tarawih while it was still late night. Imam Amash said: He used to pray twenty rak’ahs of taraweeh and three rak’ahs of witr. {Qiyamul Layl-157}

Abdullah bin Mas’ud (RD) said that giving up the Sunnah is better than practicing bid’ah. If twenty rak’ahs of taraweeh were bid’ah, why did he pray and commanded to pray? So it has been proved in every era of Khulafa-e- Rashidah tarawih was twenty rakaa’h. May Allah grant Hidayah to those who spread ignorant mischief. Ameen.

The Jumhur Sahaba (RD)

1

ابو حنيفة عن حماد عن ابراهيم ان الناس كانوا يصلون خمس ترويحات فى رمضان

Imam Abu Hanifa (RH) narrated from Ibrahim (RH) (d. 96 AH) that the people used to pray twenty rak’ahs in Ramadan along with five taraweeh’s. {Kitab al-Ashar Liabi Yusuf}

2

عن عبد العزيز بن رفيع قال كان ابى بن كعب يصلى بالناس فى رمضان بالمدينة عشرين ركعة ويوتر بثلاثة

Narrated by ‘Abd al-Aziz ibn Rafi: Ubayy ibn Ka’b (RD) used to pray twenty rak’ahs of taraweeh and three rak’ahs of witr in Madinah in the month of Ramadan. (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, 5/224)

3

عن عطاء قال ادركت الناس وهم يصلون ثلثة وعشرون ركعة بالوتر

Narrated by Ata [d. 114 AH]. He said: “I saw the people praying twenty rak’ahs of taraweeh and three rak’ahs of witr.” (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, 5/224)

The Tabi’een (RH)

1

Hazrat Suwayd bin Ghafala (RH) was only three years younger than the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam). He used to lead prayers. Hazrat Abul Hajib said:

كان يؤمنا سويد بن غفلة فى رمضان فيصلى خمس ترويحات عشرين ركعة

Hazrat Suwayd bin Ghafala (RH) used to pray twenty rak’ahs in five taraweeh with our congregation in the month of Ramadan. {Baihaqi-2/49}

2

عن ابى البخترى انه كان يصلى خمس ترويحات فى رمضان ويوتر بثلاث

Abu al-Bukhtari (RH) said: “He used to pray twenty rak’ahs tarawih and three rak’ahs of Witr in five tarwiha in Ramadan. (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, Hadith No. 7686)

3

عن سعيد بن ابى عبيد ان على بن ربيعة كان يصلى بهم فى رمضان خمس ترويحات ويوتر بثلاث

Narrated Sa’eed ibn Abi Ubayd: Hazrat Ali bin Rabi’ah (RH) used to pray twenty rak’ahs of taraweeh and three rak’ahs of witr. (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, 5/225)

It is understood from these Hadiths that the word taraweeh with twenty rak’ahs and the actions of twenty rak’ahs of taraweeh were prevalent among the Tabi’een, without any difference of objection. And in the whole of Khairul Qur’un, the name of any person can not be mentioned, who has rejected or disliked twenty rak’ahs of taraweeh. Or any person person who said twenty rak’ahs of taraweeh as bid’ah, or he left the mosque after praying eight rak’ahs with the congregation. There is no evidence that he used the word taraweeh with eight rak’ahs in the entire Khairul Qur’un.

Twenty rak’ahs of taraweeh in the Masjidun Nabwi

Twenty rak’ahs of taraweeh were prayed in Madinah during the reign of Hazrat Umar (RD), Hazrat Uthman (RD) and Hazrat Ali (RD). Even until today, twenty rak’ahs of tarweeh are prayed in Madinah Munawara. Hazrat Aisha (RD) used to stay in Madinah Munawara. She is the one who said this command of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam): “Whoever brings out a bid’ah in my religion, his deed is abandoned.” If the prayer of twenty rak’ahs of taraweeh was bid’ah and unlawful, then Hazrat Aisha (RD) would not have remained silent on it for years. Even the Jumhur Sahaba Ikram (RD) used to take her opinion in regards to the authenticity of many Ahadith.

Hazrat Jabir bin Abdullah (RD) was staying in Madinah. He is the Rabi of that hadith in which It has been said that “every innovation is misguided and every misguided person will be thrown into Hell.” We do not find him in any place of objecting on twenty rakaa’h of tarawih. Twenty rak’ahs of taraweeh were being prayed in congregation in the Masjid an-Nabawi until half centuries AH before his eyes, but he did not say anything against it. It can’t be possible. So therefore, it has been proved all Jumhur Sahaba RD were practicing 20 rakaa’h of Taraweeh and not only that but also they led twenty rakaa’h tarawih prayer themselves.

Twenty Rakats of Tarawih in Baitullah Shareef

1

Ata ibn Abi Rabah (RH) said [d 114 AH]: “ادركت الناس وهم يصلون ثلاثة وعشرون ركعة بالوتر I saw the people (Sahaba RD and Tabieen RH] praying 23 rak’ahs including the witr prayer.” (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, 2/393)

2

Imam Ibn Abi Malikah (d. 117 AH) used to lead twenty rak’ahs of taraweeh in Makkah. (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, 2/393)

3

Imam al-Shafi’i (RH) said: “I found the people in my city of Makkah praying twenty rak’ahs of taraweeh. {Tirmidhi-1/166}

And till today, twenty rak’ahs of taraweeh are being prayed in Baitullah in Makkah Mukarrama.

Twenty rak’ahs of taraweeh in Kufa

In Kufa, Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ud (RD) used to lead twenty rak’ahs of taraweeh and three rak’ahs of witr. {Mukhtasar Qiyamul Layl-157}

Imam Ibrahim al-Nakha’i (d. 96 AH) said: The people (the Sahaba RD and the Tabi’een RH) used to pray twenty rak’ahs taraweehs in Ramadan. {Kitab al-Asa Li’abi Yusuf 41}

Twenty rak’ahs of taraweeh in Basra

Narrated by Yunus (RH): He said: I saw in the Jame’e Masjid in Basra before the fitnah of Abul Ash’as (d. 83 AH) that ‘Abdur Rahman bin Abi Bakra (d. 91 AH), Sa’eed bin Abil Hasan (d. 100 AH) and Hadrat Imranul Abdi used to lead twenty rak’ahs Taraweeh to the people. {Qiyamul Lyle-158}

In short, there was not a single person who rejected twenty rak’ahs of taraweeh in the entire Khairul Qur’un. It was not rejected in any Islamic kingdom. At first the denial when the English (British) came to the subcontinent, a new group has been introduced in the Muslim community named Ahl-e-Hadith Gair-e-Muqallid group. Who then introduced so many new innovation in Islam which was not been done before. May Allah SWT protect us. Ameen.

Statements of the Four Imams

Shah Wali Ullah Muhaddes-e-Dehlavi (RH) said: Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat is consisted with four Madhhabs. The first of these four Imams was Imam Abu Hanifa (d. 150 AH) and he was the proponent of twenty rak’ahs of taraweeh. One of the statements of Imam Malik (RH) is in favor of twenty rak’ahs and the second statement is in favor of 36 rak’ahs. (Hedayatul Mujtahid-1/167)

Imam al-Shafi’i(RH) is the proponent of twenty rak’ahs. {Al-Mughni-2/167}

Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal (RH) also spoke in favor of twenty rak’ahs. [Al-Mughni, 2/167]

None of the fiqh of the four Madhhabs, twenty rakaa’h of tarawih was called Bida’ah or only eight rak’ahs of taraweeh are called Sunnah. Rather all of the Madhab is united in this command that tarawih is twenty raka’ah. So it has been proved Tabi’een and Tabe Tabi’een prayed twenty raka’ah tarawih as well.

In the light of the Sunnah of Sahaba RD and ijma (consensus)

Tarawih prayer is twenty rak’ahs. This deed has been introduced all over the world since the era of Companions (Sahaba RD). Which is still being practiced all over the world. except the followers of Neo-Fitna (8 raka’ah claimant), 20 raka’ah has been practiced by all Muslims all over the world, including the Masjid an-Nabawi and Baitullah.

In this regard, there was an Ijma among the Companions.

Ibn Qudaamah Hanbali RH (d. 595 AH) in Al-Mughni, Volume 2, Page 167, Allama Kashtallani Shafi’i RH (d. 923 AH) mentions the ijma of the Companions on twenty rak’ahs in Irshadus Sari, Volume 3, Page 515.

Mulla Ali Qari Hanafi RH (d. 1014 AH) has copied this Ijma of the Companions of Sharhun Nuqayya, vol. 2, page 241 and Allama Sayyid Murtaza Zubaidi RH [d. 1205 AH] of Ithaful Sadatul Muttakin, vol. 3, page 700.

Ijma (consensus) of Ummah Muslimah

Before the British period of 1284 AH in subcontinent, there is no example of praying eight rak’ahs of Tarawih in any mosque for the whole month of Ramadan. No one of Ahl-i-Hadith brothers can show the name of a mosque which prayed 8 raka’ah taraweeh During that time. No, eight rak’ahs of taraweeh have ever been prayed in the Masjid an-Nabawi. Not in Baitullah. Not in any Muslim village in the world at that time. It was first introduced during the reign of Queen Victoria. Which was a complete Bida’ah, an attempt to take the Muslims away from Allah SWT and Deen Islam. May Allah protect us. Ameen.

Earlier, the entire Ummah was reciting 20 rak’ahs of taraweeh on the basis of consensus. For more information see these Kitaabs-

1- Meerkat-3/194.

2- Ithaful Sadatil Muttakin-3/422.

3- Anaratul Masaabeeh-18.

4- Hashiye Sharhe Beqaya Maulana Abdul Hai Loukshabi

5- Umdatul Qari – 5/267

6- Fatawa Qazikhan-110.

7- Al-Mughni-1/803.

8- Sharh Mukanna – 1/852.

9- Sharh al-Bukhari Lilqastallani.

10- Awazul Masaleq – 1/390

11- Sharh Nukaya-104.

12- Awn al-Bari-2/307.

13- Kitab al-Azkar-83.

14- Fath al-Qadir 1/407.

15. Arfush Shaji-230.

16. Al-Bahrur Raiq 2/66.

17- Fataawa Shami-1/511

18- Badaeus Sana’i – 1/288

19- Almasabih-16.

20- Halbi Sharh Muniya-388.

There is no evidence of 8 rak’ah taraweeh in any Sahih Hadith. So the claim of the 8 raka’ah tarawih is a complete falsehood and a new innovation, an attempt to weaken our Imaan. May Allah protect us. Ameen.

The proof of Ghayr Muqallid in favor of their claim of 8 raka’ah Tarawih and the Answer

1

عن أبي سلمة بن عبد الرحمن أنه أخبره : أنه سأل عائشة رضي الله عنها كيف كانت صلاة رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم في رمضان ؟ فقالت ما كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم يزيد في رمضان ولا في غيره على إحدى عشرة ركعة يصلي أربعا فلا تسل عن حسنهن وطولهن ثم يصلي أربعا فلا تسل عن حسنهن وطولهن ثم يصلي ثلاثا . قالت عائشة فقلت يارسول الله أتنام قبل أن توتر ؟ . فقال يا عائشة إن عيني تنامان ولا ينام قلبي  (صحيح البخارى- أبواب التهجد، باب قيام النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم بالليل في رمضان وغيره1/154

Abu Salma ibn Abdur Rahman narrated that he asked ‘Aisha (RD) how the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) prayed in Ramadan. She said, “The Prophet(Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) did not increase the number of rak’ahs from 11 rak’ahs in or outside Ramadaan .” He used to recite 4 rak’ahs, you do not want to know about the beauty and length of his 4 raka’ah salah. Then He would pray 4 rak’ahs, you do not want to know about its beauty and length of that, then He would recite 3 rak’ahs. Hazrat Aisha (RA) said, “I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam)! Do you go to bed before Witr? He said, “O Aisha (RD)! Surely my eyes sleep, my soul does not sleep. (Sahih Bukhari, 1/154)

Answer:

1-

It is not right to give evidence with this hadith because of the ambiguity and contradiction in this hadith. Imam Qurtubi (RH) said: I have asked many of the Ahl ul-‘Ilm (people of knowledge) about this narration of ‘Aisha (RD) and many of them have expressed the opinion that there is ambiguity and contradiction in it. (Fath al-Bari, Sharuhul Bukhari, 3/17)

2-

It is narrated in the Sahih Sanad that 13 rak’ahs of Tarawih from Hazrat Ayesha (RA). So Hafiz Ibn Hajar Asqalani used this method to remove ambiguity and contradiction: “The truth is that what I have mentioned in this matter is all dependent on different times and different situations.” (Fath al-Bari-3/17)

Through this, the claim of the claiment of 8 raka’ah people that “Tarawih prayer is limited to 8 rak’ahs and there is no more Tarawih prayer” is being rejected. Maulana Abdur Rahman Mubarakpuri, who himself a scholar of Ahle Hadith, said, “It is proved that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) prayed 13 rak’ahs of Tarawih. (Tuhfat al-Ahwazi 2/3)

3-

The fact is that this hadith is related to Tahajjud prayer. Tarawih is not mentioned in it. Below is some evidence of this.

This hadith is basically the description of Tahajjud

1-

The word مان رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم يزيد في رمضان ولا في غيره (The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) does not extend the time in Ramadan and out of Ramadan) means that the question was asked whether the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) used to increase the prayer that he used to offer in Ramadaan, than any other month other than Ramadan? This question has been asked because it has been reported that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) used to pray and worship more in Ramadan than before, so it was natural to ask this question. And another question is, is there Tarawih other than Ramadan? Before Ramadan, the Prophet used to pray 13 rak’ahs of Tarawih and Witr? Or is it Tahajjud? Isn’t it right to be tahajjud? Therefore, it is clear that it is not Tarawih but the question has been asked about Tahajjud whether the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) used to pray same raka’ah of Tahajjud in Ramadaan from the rakaah that he used to pray out of Ramadan. ‘Aisha (RD) replied, “He did not increase the Tahajjud prayer from 13 rak’ahs.”

2-

The last part of this hadith contains the words قالت عائشة فقلت يارسول الله أتنام قبل أن توتر ؟ ‘Aishah RD said, “O Messenger of Allah, do you sleep before Witr?” In the case of taraweeh, it is unimaginable that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) fell asleep after praying Tarawih and the Companions waited for the Prophet to pray Witr. Rather, is it not reasonable to be in the case of Tahajjud?

3-

Muhaddiseen-e-Kiram did not mention this hadith in the chapter of Tarawih. Rather, it is mentioned in the chapter Tahajjud. Imam Muhammad bin Nasr Marwazi RH brought many hadiths in his book Qiyam al-Lail in the chapter “عدد الركعات التى يقوم بها الامام للناس فى رمضان” (How many rak’ahs of Tarawih should the Imam pray in Ramadan), but he did not bring this hadith narrated by ‘Ayesha (RA) even though it was authentic. There was no hint at it. Which means this hadith was not mentioned in regards to taraweeh.

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Muhaddiseen-e-Kiram mentions this hadith in the chapter of Tahajjud instead of the chapter on the number of rak’ahs of Tarawih. For example, Imam Bukhari (RH) has mentioned this hadith in his Bukhari Shareef in the following chapter’s:

(a) Witr Chapter (1/135)

(b) Qiyaamul Layl of the night of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) in Ramadan and without Ramadan (1/154)

(c) The virtues of charity in Ramadan (for the purpose of prayer) Chapter (1/269)

(d) The eyes of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) sleep, the mind does not sleep.

In the first chapter, the number of rak’ahs of Witr and in the second chapter, whether Tahajjud was prayed more in Ramadan, and in the third chapter, the virtue of praying more in Ramadan and in the fourth chapter, the hadith has been brought to explain the reason why the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) does not break his ablution when he sleeps. Where does this hadith come to explain the number of rak’ahs of taraweeh?

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Allamah Hafiz Ibn Hajar Asqalani (RH) said in his explanation of this hadith, “And it has been revealed to me that the secret of not increasing the number of rak’ahs from eleven rak’ahs is that surely the prayers of Tahajjud and Witr are special with the night prayer.” And the obligatory Zuhr of the day is 4 rak’ahs and Asr is also 4 rak’ahs and Maghrib is 3 rak’ahs of the day. So the consistency is that the night prayer is as brief and detailed in number as the day prayer. And in the case of 13 rak’ahs, the consistency is by combining the Fajr prayer because it is the prayer of the day for the next prayer. (Fath al-Bari, Sharhul Bukhari-3/17)

Does this narration of Ibn Hajar (RH) not say that the purpose of Tahajjud is not Tarawih prayer by this hadith? Ibn Hajar (RH) mentioned Tahajjud in this statement. Lets learn the difference between Tahajjud and Taraweeh.

Difference Between Tahajjud and Tarawih

The people who say that “Tahajjud and Tarawih are the same” is wrong for the following reasons

1-

It is not permissible to call (Adhan) in Tahajjud, it is permissible in Tarawih.

2-

Time for Tarawih is before sleep, but the time of Tahajjud is not fixed, but better to pray after a good sleep, in the mid or 3rd part of night or any salaah prayed after Isha will be considered as Tahajjud.

3-

Muhadditheen-e-Kiram has written different chapters of Tahajjud and Tarawih.

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The ruling on Tahajjud prayer is proved by the Qur’an, such as verse 79 of Surah Isra, Allah Ta’ala وَمِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَتَهَجَّدْ بِهِ نَافِلَةً لَّكَ دْ mentioned, pray Tahajjud at night, this is a reward for you, and your Lord will place you in a place of praise.

Allah’s Apostle (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: “Indeed, Allah Ta’ala has made fasting of Ramadan obligatory on you, and I have made it Sunnah for you to do Qiyaam (taraweeh) in it.”

So it was understood that Tahajjud is proved by the verses of Allah SWT and Tarawih is proved by the words of the Prophet(Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) .

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Tahajjud was ordered in Makkah and Tarawih was ordered in Madinah.

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Imam Ahmad (RH) also believed that and Tarawih Tahajjud are separate prayers (Makna’-184)

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Imam al-Bukhaari (RH) narrated that he used to pray Tarawih with his companions in the first part of the night and Tahajjud alone at the last part of night. (Biography of Imam Bukhari)

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The specific number of rak’ahs of tahajjud is proved from the Prophet ((Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam), that is, the maximum of 13 rak’ahs including Witr and at least 7 rak’ahs. And in the case of the number of rak’ahs of taraweeh, Sahaba RD prayed twenty raka’ah and in some riwayah 36 also found, it is not specific.

Reminders

According to the history of Tarikhul Khulafa i.e. Khilafa-e-Rashidin, Hazrat Umar RD started the congregation of Tarawih prayers in the 15th Hijri. Hazrat Sayyidah Aisha RD died in 57 AH. For the whole 42 years, if the bid’ah (according to the claimant of 8 rakaa’h) of 20 rak’ahs of taraweeh was issued in the Masjid an-Nabawi near her Hujra, but the Ammajan Aisha Siddiqa (RD) herself narrated the hadith from the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) that “whoever invents new things as a religion in the religion will abandon it.” [Bukhari, Muslim] It is not proved from Aisha (RD) that she has ever presented the hadith of Tahajjud one, as evidence against twenty rak’ahs of taraweeh in 42 years. Now there are two paths. Perhaps it will be accepted that this hadith has nothing to do with Tarawih twenty rak’ahs. Which Aisha RD understood very well. So she did not say anything when she saw twenty rak’ahs of taraweeh in the Masjid an-Nabawi taking place.  Or another thing could be, Ammajan Aisha (RD) considered the hadith narrated by her to be against twenty rak’ahs of taraweeh, but she did not have as much hatred for Bida’ah or the love of Sunnah (Naudhubillah) as the most pious Ghayr-e-Muqallid people have. Is it possible, La hawla wala Quwwata illa billah, May Allah protect us. Ameen. Only the Rafizi Shias can say and think this way. No one else can say such a thing. Aishah (RD) was Muhaddithah who protected more them 2000 Ahadith and who was the source of knowledge such a way that even the Sahaba RD would come to learn from her. many Tabi’ee learnt Ilm her.

Therefor, the first hadithe that they claim has been completely gone flat and it did not proved that tarawih is eight raka’ah rather it proved the ignorance of these ignorant people. We should be very strict on those who tries to introduce even a dot of Bid’ah in our religion inshaAllah.

Document No. 2

عن جابر بن عبد الله قال : صلى بنا رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم في رمضان ثمان ركعات والوتر فلما كان من القابلة اجتمعنا في المسجد ورجونا أن يخرج إلينا فلم نزل في المسجد حتى أصبحنا فدخلنا على رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم فقلنا له : يا رسول الله رجونا أن تخرج إلينا فتصل بنا فقال : كرهت أن يكتب عليكم الوتر  (قيام الليل-90)

Jabir (RD) reported: The Prophet ((Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) prayed eight rak’ahs tarawih and Witr with us in Ramadan, and when the next day came, we assembled in the mosque and wished that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam ) would come to us. We stayed in the mosque. It was dawn. Then we went to the Prophet(Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) . I said to him, “O Allah’s Apostle(Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) ! We were expecting you to come to us and pray with us, and He said, “I did not like that Witr should be obligatory on you.” (Qiyam al-Layl 90)

Answer:

The claimant 8 raka’ah people are seen to be the happiest with this hadith. But surprisingly, this hadith is weak. Not only one, but in the case of three rabbis of this hadith, Muhaddiseen-e-Kiram said that they are not acceptable. See what Muhaddiseen Kiram says about the narrators of this hadith.

1st Rabi: Ibn Humaid al-Razi

1. Hafiz al-Dhahabi (RH) said: He is weak

2. Ya’qub ibn Shi’bah (RH) said: He narrated many unacceptable hadith.

3. Imam Bukhari (RH) said: There is an objection to this.

4. Abu Zur’ah (RH) said: He is a liar.

5. Ishaq al-Qusz (RH) said: “I testify that he is a liar.”

6. Salih Jazrah (RH) said: He narrates hadith on every matter. I have never seen anyone who accuses Allah more than Him. He changes the hadith of the people.

7. Ibn Kharash (RH) said: By Allah, he is a liar.

8. Imam al-Nasa’i (RH) said: He is not acceptable. (Mizan al-I’tidal, 3/49-50)

2nd Rabi: Yaqub ibn Abdullah Ash’ari

1.Imam Dara al-Kutni (RH) said: He is not strong (Mizan al-I’tidal, 3/324)

3rd Rabi Isa ibn Jariah

1. Allamah Yahya ibn Mayeen (RH) said: His Hadith are unacceptable.

2. Imam al-Nasa’i (RH) said that, his hadith is unacceptable.

3. Imam al-Nasa’i said (RH) : His hadith is abandoned.

4.Abu Dawood (RH) said: His hadith is unacceptable.

5. Allamah al-Dhahabi (RH) said: He is among the weak (Mizan al-I’tidal, 2/311)

Apart from this, this hadith is narrated from Hazrat Jabir (RD) in the book of “Bulugul Maram,” of Ibn Hajar Asqalani (RH) but there is no mention of the number of rak’ahs.(See Bulugul Maram 42-43)

There is also another problem in this hadith, that is, in this hadith, the fear of Witr becoming obligatory has been mentioned, but in other Sahih Hadith, the fear of Tarawih becoming obligatory has been mentioned. (Mizan al-I’tidal, 2/42-43)

Hazrat Jabir (RD) died in Madinah after 70 AH. For at least 55 years, the alleged bid’ah (According to the claim of 8 rakaa’ah people) of twenty rak’ahs was practiced in the Masjid an-Nabawi in Madinah Munawara. Jabir (RD) narrated that the Prophet ((Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said:

 شر الأمور محداثاتها وكل محدثة بدعة وكل بدعة ضلالة وكل ضلالة فى النار “Every new religious innovation is bid’ah, And every bid’ah is misguidance, and every misguidance lead to Hell.)

But even then, for at least 55 years, Hazrat Jabir (RD) saw this Bid’ah going on in the Masjid an-Nabawi. But the Hadith of Sunnah was in front of him. If the claimed Hadith was true, would he remain silent? What did he do with this hadith then, did he say only in the ear of Isa bin Jarya without saying it publicly? That’s all?! Our Sahaba (RD) was not like that, they were ready to fight, give life to protect every Ahkam of Islam. Claiming such ignorant thing is silently slandering on our Sahaba (RD). Dear claimant of 8 raka’ah brothers, do not claim to be a greater Allama than the honorable Sahaba (RD), they were the protectors of Deen, you and us are Muslim today because of them. They practiced 20 raka’hs of Tarawih not 8 rakaa’hs. May Allah Ta’ala grant everyone the virtue of acting on the Sunnah of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) and propagating to others. Ameen.

3rd document

و حدثني عن مالك عن محمد بن يوسف عن السائب بن يزيد أنه قال أمر عمر بن الخطاب أبي بن كعب وتميما الداري أن يقوما للناس بإحدى عشرة ركعة ( موطأ مالك-98

Muhammad ibn Yusuf (RH) narrated from Sa’ib ibn Yazid that ‘Umar (RD) ordered ‘Ubayy ibn Ka’b and Tamim al-Dari (RD) to pray eleven rak’ahs with the people. (Muwatta Malik-98)

Answer:

It is not right to give evidence with this hadith. Because-

1-

There are contradictions in the wording of the hadith. For example, one of the narrators of this hadith source is Muhammad bin Yusuf, who had 5 pupels. 3 Of them nerrated 11 rak’ahs , 1 narrated 13 rak’ahs and 1 narrated 21 rak’ahs. Besides, there is a huge difference in the words of those who described 11 rak’ahs. Namely-

A.

Imam Malik brought, Umar (RD) commanded Ubai bin Kaab (RD) and Tamim Dari (RD) to gather people to pray 11 rak’ahs.

B.

Yahya al-Qattan narrates that ‘Umar (RD) gathered the people to ‘Ubayy bin Ka’b (RD) and Tamim al-Dari (RD) and they used to lead eleven rak’ahs.

c.

Abdul Aziz bin Muhammad (RH) said: “We used to pray eleven rak’ahs during the time of ‘Umar (RD).

The narrator’s narration is not correct, as well as their statement of eleven rak’ahs is contradictory to each other. Such a description is not acceptable, but abandoned. (Ilaus Sunan, 7/48)

_______________________________________________________________________

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This narration contradicts another authentic and powerful narration from Hazrat Umar (RD) Imam Malik (RH) narrated 20 rak’ahs of Tarawih from ‘Umar (RD) in his Muwatta on page 40 and Hafiz Ibn Hajar (RH) in Fath al-Bari, volume 4, page 219. So it is understood that this description is not worth doing.

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Imam Malik (RH) himself did not consider this narration worth doing, so he himself did not mention 8 rak’ahs.

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If the narration of 11 rak’ahs from ‘Umar (RD) had been authentic, then such narrations and deeds would have been proved later from ‘Uthman (RD) and ‘Ali (RD), but such narration was not proved from them.

5

It is also possible that at first the narration of 8 rak’ahs came to Hazrat Umar (RD) from the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam), but later when the narration of 20 rak’ahs reached, he abandoned the description of 8 rak’ahs.

For all these reasons, this hadith is not left as actionable. So all the objection has been cleared and it has been proved that the claim of 8 rakaa’ah is not correct and 20 rakaa’h taraweeh should be lead and prayed. May Allah protect us from every Fitnah. Ameen.

Final note

Deen is beautiful and this beauty increses when we remain united in every good cause. Therefore, as it is proved that tarawih is not 8 rakaa’h rather it is Sunnah of Sahaba (RD), Tabi’een (RH) and Tabe Tabi’een (RH) and practice of Ulam Ikram of all time to pray 20 rakaa’h. Lets make sincere intention to utilize our Ramadan with Full Qiyaam and more good actions InshaAllah. Barakallahu Fikum wa Hafidhakumullah. Ameen.

Translation from Bangla

Writing of Mufti Lutfar Rahman Farayezi (Damat Barakatuhum)