Rakats | Taraweeh

The number of rakats in Taraweeh is one of the most discussed topics during Ramadan. Because it is a voluntary (Sunnah/Nafl) prayer, there is considerable flexibility. The Excellence of Tarawih Prayer and Its Spiritual Benefits

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In conclusion, the question of Taraweeh rakats is not a simple matter of right versus wrong. It is a profound illustration of how Islamic jurisprudence gracefully accommodates legitimate differences of interpretation. The 8-rakat position holds fast to the explicit personal practice of the Prophet. The 20-rakat position holds fast to the unified, consensus-based practice of the early Muslim community, established for public benefit. For the average believer, the correct path is not to engage in divisive polemics, but to follow the established practice of their local mosque or scholarly tradition with sincerity. What matters most, as the Prophet’s own hesitation to make Qiyam al-Layl obligatory shows, is that Taraweeh remains a gift—a flexible, voluntary, and deeply rewarding act of worship that brings Muslims together under the shared goal of devotion, whether they rise and bow eight times or twenty. The night is long, the mercy of Allah is vast, and the best prayer is one offered with a present heart—regardless of the count. taraweeh rakats

: During the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) , the practice of praying in congregation was formalized. Historical records and major schools of thought (Hanafi, Shafi'i, Maliki, and Hanbali) note that under his direction, the congregation performed 20 rakats . This was done to allow for shorter standing times per rakat while maintaining a high total of worship. Modern Practices and Variations

Thus, two legitimate positions emerged, each grounded in authentic precedents. The first, favored by the Hanafi and Hanbali schools, as well as many Maliki scholars, holds that 20 rakats is the established sunnah of the rightly-guided caliphs, which the Prophet commanded Muslims to follow. They argue that the Prophet’s 11 rakats was his personal night prayer, not a formal, legislated upper limit for the congregational Taraweeh. The second position, championed by the Hanbali school’s later proponents (like Ibn Taymiyyah) and many Salafi-oriented followers, argues that the Prophet’s 11 rakats is the superior sunnah, and that while 20 rakats is permissible due to Umar’s ijtihad (independent reasoning), it is not the preferred or “Sunnah” practice. The number of rakats in Taraweeh is one

💡 Don’t let the numbers stop you from praying. Whether you pray 8, 20, or start with just 2—what matters most is the quality of your prayer and standing before Allah.

The word "Taraweeh" is derived from the Arabic word which linguistically means "to rest" or "to relax". This name reflects the tradition of taking short breaks between every four units of prayer to rest and reflect. The History and Origin of Taraweeh It is a profound illustration of how Islamic

Today, the number of rakats varies based on local tradition and mosque management: How to Pray Taraweeh? | Islamic Relief Canada

However, the narrative of Taraweeh did not conclude with the Prophet’s lifetime. The pivotal moment occurred during the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him). Seeing people praying in scattered, small groups, Umar perceived a need for communal unity. He gathered the believers behind a single imam, Ubayy ibn Ka’b, to perform the prayer in congregation. It is recorded that under Umar’s directive, they prayed . This action is described by early historians and scholars as a “beautiful innovation” (bid'ah hasanah) in the technical, linguistic sense—meaning a practice not established as a congregational sunnah by the Prophet, but one that serves a higher maslahah (public interest) without contradicting any core principle. The great hadith scholar Imam al-Bayhaqi and others have noted that the companions during Umar’s time did not object to this number, implying a consensus (ijma') of the Sahaba on the permissibility of 20 rakats.

While voluntary night prayers (Tahajjud) were practiced by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) year-round, the specific communal form of Taraweeh emerged during Ramadan.