The Meaning of 'Umar ibn al-Khattab's Statement: "Tarawih is a Blessed Innovation"

Question:
May Allah reward you. A questioner asks: What did 'Umar ibn al-Khattab intend by his statement that tarawih is a blessed innovation?

Answer:
The scholars answered this by saying that the intended meaning is linguistic innovation, not religious innovation; because tarawih is not a religious innovation, rather it is from the Sunnah of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). He prayed it with his Companions for nights, then he stopped out of fear that it would become obligatory upon him. When the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) passed away, the time of legislation ended, so there is no obligation after the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). Therefore, 'Umar gathered them behind a single imam, just as they had been behind the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). He gathered them behind a single imam, who was Ubayy ibn Ka'b (may Allah be pleased with him), the most knowledgeable of the Companions regarding the Book of Allah, just as they had been behind the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). So 'Umar revived this Sunnah and did not commit an innovation. Yes.