How many Rakats in the Taraweeh prayer?
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim; Today I will discuss the number of Rakats of Taraweeh prayer InshaAllah. Since there are many differences of opinion among the scholars in this regard. From today’s discussion, you will easily get a clear idea in this regard InshaAllah.
8 Rakat are irrefutable proof of Taraweeh
Abu Salamah Ibn Abdur Rahman (R) said,
He once asked Ayesha how the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) prayed in Ramadaan. Then He replied that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) did not perform more than 11 Rakats of salat in the month of Ramadaan and outside of Ramadaan. He used to recite four Rakats first (2 + 2). You (Abu Salamah) do not ask about its beauty and length. Then he would recite (2 + 2) four Rakats. You don’t ask about her beauty and longevity. Then he would recite three Rakats (witr).
Sahih Muslim 2013
The hadith has been narrated in almost all the books of hadith. There is no question of discussing its purity. Because Imam Bukhari (194-256 AH) and Muslim (204-261 AH) have described it in their respective Sahih books. In particular, Imam Bukhari (R) has narrated the hadith in the Tarawih Salat chapter. He also mentions the hadith in the chapter on the night prayer of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) in Ramadaan and other months. He has also narrated the hadith in a different sanad in another chapter.
It is to be noted that although Imam Bukhari (R) mentions the title; it has been deleted from Sahih Bukhari printed in the Indian subcontinent. The reason is that Taraweeh and Tahajjud are separate prayers; Taraweeh is 20 Rakats and Tahajjud is 11 Rakats; Tahajjud is mentioned in the hadith of Ayesha (R), etc. All the falsehoods that are prevalent have been proved to be false through that title. Besides, when the matter becomes clear to the millions of teachers, students, and ulama who are teaching and receiving Sahih Bukhari in the subcontinent, it will become ingrained in their minds forever that Taraweeh salat is 8 Rakats; Not 20 Rakats. Because then no other person will have dominance over Imam Bukhari.
So this disgusting strategy has been adopted. We firmly believe that Islamic law can never be concealed by deception. Sahih Bukhari is not only printed in the subcontinent; On the contrary, in many countries of the world, Allah has made arrangements to print it. Therefore, as many times as Sahih Bukhari has been published in Syria, Egypt, Kuwait, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and other countries, the title is still valid. Oops! How long will this tactical business of hiding Hawk last? It is clear from this hadith that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) never prayed more than 11 Rakats in the month of Ramadaan and in other months.
In which eight Rakats of Taraweeh or Tahajjud and three Rakats of Vitr. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) never prayed more than 11 Rakats in the month of Ramadaan and in other months. In which eight Rakats of Taraweeh or Tahajjud and three Rakats of Vitr. Whether in the month of Ramadan or any other month, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) never offered the night prayer more than 11 Rakats. In which eight Rakats of Taraweeh or Tahajjud and three Rakats of Vitr.
It is further proved that Taraweeh and Tahajjud are the same prayers, not different prayers. Therefore, Imam Bukhari has also narrated the hadith in the chapter of the ‘Tahajjud’ prayer. Regarding the authenticity of this hadith, it can be said unequivocally that there is no more pure hadith in the world regarding the number of Rakats of the night prayer of the Prophet (peace be upon him) i.e. Taraweeh and Tahajjud. Besides, Abu Salamah asked Ayesha about the night prayer of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in the month of Ramadaan. And in reply, he mentioned 11 Rakats.
It is more clear that the hadith has been narrated through mother Ayesha (R). And it is only natural that he should know more about the night condition of the Prophet (peace be upon him) than others. Therefore, this one hadith is enough for the true followers of the religion.
Jabir bin Abdullah said,
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) prayed 6 Rakats with us in the month of Ramadaan and recited Vitr.
Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah 1060
The hadith has been narrated in several sources in Hasan Sanad. Allama Zahabi (63-648 AH) after quoting the hadith in his book Mianul Itidal said that the sanad of the hadith is of good standard i.e. Hasan. Shaykh Nasiruddin Albani (R) said that the sanad of the hadith is Hasan. Ibn Khuzaymar Muhakkik said. Muhammad Mustafa Al Azami said that its sanad is Hasan. Note that although some people want to call the hadith flawed, it is not correct. Because Imam Zahabi has commented about it as Hasan. So usually don’t wait for someone else’s comment.
The above Saheeh hadeeths narrated directly from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in the Marfu Sutras prove conclusively that the Taraaweeh prayer is not more than 8 Rakats.
So Sheikh Albani after presenting the documents said,
From what has been mentioned before, it is clear to us that the number of Rakats of the night prayer is 11; which has been proved by authentic documents from the deeds of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
Therefore, it is an essential duty on the Ummah of Muhammad to hold fast to this Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Because when he decides on something, Muslim men and women do not have the right to do anything voluntarily.
If one goes beyond the judgment of Allah and His Messenger, the consequences will be terrible.
Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
No believing man or believing woman has the right to make a different decision when Allah and His Messenger decide on it. Anyone who disobeys GOD and His messenger will surely go astray
Surah Ahzab verse no
Elsewhere the great God said,
By your Lord! They will not be believers until they have entrusted to you the judgment of their disputes; Then they will have no hesitation in your decision and will accept it wholeheartedly.
Surah An-Nisa verse no
It has also been specifically stated that if there is a disagreement on any issue; it is necessary to return to the decision of Allah and His Messenger.
Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
O you who believe! Obey Allah and His Messenger, and to him who is the ruler among you. And if you differ in anything among yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger, if you are believers in Allah and the Last Day. That is better and more rewarding
Verse No. 59 of Surah An-Nisa
Despite this unequivocal declaration, if the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) is opposed, then the consequences in this world and in the Hereafter will be very tragic.
God the Almighty said,
Therefore, those who disobey Messenger’s command are warned that a great calamity will befall them (in the world) or a painful punishment will consume them.
Verse No. 83 of Surah An-Noor
This great catastrophe of the Muslim Ummah today is due to its opposition to the ideals of Muhammad (peace be upon him). Their afterlife will be more terrible.
Taraweeh prayer in the age of the Companions
It is propagated in the Muslim society that both Omar and Ali (R) introduced twenty (20) Rakat Taraweeh. This is a blatant lie. These are just false accusations against the dignified Companions of Paradise. Because they never recited 20 Rakat of Taraweeh against the deeds of the Prophet (peace be upon him), nor did they give instructions. The following is a highlight:
Narrated Sa’ib Ibn Yazid:
He said that Omar (R) instructed Ubayy Ibn Ka’b and Tamim Ad-Dari (R) to perform 11 Rakat of prayer with the people.
Muwatta Malek 1/115 p., Night prayer in the month of Ramadan ‘paragraph; Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah 4/696 p .; Saeed Ibn Mansur, As-Sunan; Qiyamul Lail, p. 91; Abu Bakr An-Nishapuri, Al-Fawaid 1/135 p .; Bayhaqi al-Marefa; Phir Yabi 1/6 p. And 2/75 p .; Albani, Tahaqeeq Mishkat (Beirut: Al-Maqtabul Islami, 1985/1405), 1/406 pp. H / 1302 with a note; Bengali translation Mishkat, 3/152 pp., H / 1228 Ramadan night prayer paragraph.
The above hadith has been narrated in many hadith texts in different sanads and all of them are Saheeh.
Allama Nimvi Hanafi (R) in his book Asharus Sunan said about the sanad of the hadith, the sanad of this hadith is Saheeh.
Shaykh al-Albaani said: The sanad of this hadeeth is very pure. Because Sa’ib ibn Yazid is a Companion, he performed Hajj with the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) on the sixth day.
Elsewhere he said, I say, the sanad of this hadith is very Saheeh. Because its rabbi Muhammad bin Yusuf is the teacher of Imam Malik (R). He is a very reliable rabbi in the consensus of all. Moreover, Imam Bukhari and Muslim have taken evidence from his hadith.
It is to be noted that the narrator of Muwatta, Allama Yarkani Ibn Abdil Bar, has quoted that none other than Imam Malik has mentioned 11 Rakat; On the contrary, everyone has narrated 21 Rakat, which have been narrated to Musannaf Abdur Razza. However, he later protested the statement. The statement regarding 21 Rakats is extremely confusing. Because many people besides Imam Malik have narrated that hadith of 11 Rakats.
Abdur Rahman Mubarakpuri said against the statement,
I am saying that 11 Rakats are defective. This statement of Ibn Abdul Bar is very wrong to me.
Shaykh Allama Obaidullah Mubarakpuri (d. 1994 AD) in his world-famous commentary on Mishkatul Masabih, Mir Atul Mafatih, said,
This hadith is proof of the fact that Omar (R) gathered the people for the night prayer of Ramadan and instructed them to recite 11 Rakats including Vitr. Besides, it is also clear proof that all the Companions and Tabi’is in his time used to offer Taraweeh prayers in 11 Rakats. Because this hadith is completely compatible with the hadith of Ayesha (R) narrated earlier and also compatible with the hadith narrated by Jabir (R).
Muhammad ibn Yusuf (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Sa’ib ibn Yazid (may Allah be pleased with him) was informed that ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) united the Laks through Ubayy and Tamim ad-Dari. Then they both performed 11 Rakats of salat.
Muhammad ibn Abi Shaybah al-Kufi, al-Musannaf (Beirut: Dar al-Fikr, 1969/1409 AH),
Regarding the hadith, Allama Obaidullah Mubarakpuri (R) said, the sanad of the hadith is Saheeh.
It is evident from these two hadiths, which are considered to be Saheeh by the muhaddithin, that the second caliph, Umar (R), ordered the recitation of 11 Rakats of Taraweeh, similar to the prayer of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
Now we will know how many Rakats of Taraweeh were recited in the time of Omar (R).
Muhammad ibn Yusuf (R) said,
I heard Sa’ib ibn Yazid say, “We used to pray 11 Rakats in the time of ‘Umar.”
Discussion of Saeed Ibn Mansur, As-Sunan, Aonul Mabud 4/165, H / 1382.
Sa’ib ibn Yazid said:
We are in the time of Omar (R) in the month of Ramadan 13. I used to pray rak’at.
Muhammad ibn Nasr, Qiyamul Lail; Fathul Bari 4/319 p.
In that narration, two Rakats of Fajr have been narrated with Sunnah. There is consistency with the hadith of Ayesha (R) where the two Rakats of Fajr have come with Sunnah. At the same time, it is similar to the hadith of 11 Rakats narrated by Imam (R) narrated by Imam Malik.
So Allama Nimvi Hanafi said about this,
This hadith is very close to what Imam Malik has narrated from Muhammad ibn Yusuf, that is, it is Saheeh.
Ibn Ishaq said, “This is the strongest narration I have ever heard of Taraweeh’s prayer.”
All the hadiths that we have presented so far for the eight or eleven Rakats of the Companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and up to their time are Saheeh. Which has been proved by the strong sayings of Rizal Shastra scholars and world-famous Muhaddiths.
Shaykh al-Albaani, after analyzing the deeds of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and the Sahaabah regarding the 11 Rakats; put forward the unforgettable speech of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) for the Muslim Ummah.
The above discussions have paved the right path for us. Therefore, we must say that in order to obey the words of the Prophet (peace be upon him); it is obligatory to hold on to a certain number (11 Rakats) and to give up the extra number. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: Surely those who will survive after me will see innumerable differences of opinion. At that time, it will be the essential duty of the Ta’imah to hold fast to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of Rashedin in Khalifa; who has found the infallible path and to bite with his teeth. And beware of the newly created things. Because the newly created thing is bidat and every bidat is misguided, and every misguided person is hellish.
Hopefully, the hadith will be considered a symbol of unity for the hundreds of divided Muslim Ummah; will be a guide to the right path. Because if any deed of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is proved through authentic narration; then any deed contrary to it, which is not prevalent in the society; will be considered void.
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