Question:
What is the Sunnah of praying Taraweeh? Should it be 8 rak’ahs or 20 rak’ahs?
Answer:
The number of rak’ahs for Taraweeh prayer is a common question, and the answer is that both 8 and 20 rak’ahs are valid options. The most important aspect is sincerity and devotion in worship.
Following the Local Masjid
It is recommended to follow the masjid where you are praying. If they perform 20 rak’ahs, then pray 20; if they pray 8, then pray 8. Both are valid and in accordance with the Sunnah.
The Practice of the Prophet ﷺ
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Salat al-Layl is offered two by two.” (Bukhari & Muslim), meaning that night prayers are performed in sets of two rak’ahs.
Aisha (RA) was asked about the Prophet’s night prayer, and she said:
“Whether in Ramadan or outside of Ramadan, the Prophet ﷺ never prayed more than 8 rak’ahs (or 11 including Witr). Do not ask how long and beautiful they were.”
Ibn Abbas (RA) reported that he once prayed behind the Prophet ﷺ at night, and the Prophet ﷺ recited Surah Al-Baqarah, then Surah Aal-e-Imran, then Surah An-Nisa, then Surah Al-Ma’idah, making the prayer last around three hours. This shows that the Prophet ﷺ prayed fewer rak’ahs but with long, deep recitations.
The Companions and Scholars’ Views
When the companions saw that they could not sustain the long prayers of the Prophet ﷺ, they divided the night prayers into 20 rak’ahs, making them shorter in duration. Some scholars, like Imam Malik, even mentioned 36 rak’ahs being practiced in some places.
Notable scholars had different views on Taraweeh:
- Imam Az-Zarkashi (Hanafi): Stated that 20 rak’ah plus Witr is Sunnah.
- Ibn Qudamah (Hanbali): In his book Al-Mughni, he said 20 rak’ah plus Witr is Sunnah.
- Imam Nawawi (Shafi’i): Also mentioned 20 rak’ah plus Witr is Sunnah.
- Imam Malik (Maliki): Mentioned that some prayed 36 rak’ahs in his time.
Conclusion
Every scholar and school of thought is following the Sunnah in some way. The Prophet ﷺ’s practice was to pray 8 rak’ahs, but the companions later expanded it for convenience and accessibility. The key principle is that Qiyam (night prayer) is Sunnah and should be prayed in a way that brings devotion and closeness to Allah.
May Allah purify our hearts and accept our prayers with sincerity. Ameen.