The Congregational Tarawih Prayer in the Era of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and 'Umar

Question:
The questioner says: Honorable Shaykh, was the Tarawih prayer performed in congregation during the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), or did 'Umar order it?

Answer:
Yes, the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) led the Muslims in the tarawih prayer in congregation. He led them and was their imam for three or four nights, and the mosque was filled with attendees. When he saw their eagerness and their gathering, he delayed coming out to them on the fourth night; he did not come out until it was time for the Fajr prayer. Then he (peace and blessings be upon him) explained to them the reason for his absence and said that he was afraid it would become upon them. When the Sunnah of congregational prayer in tarawih had become established, he (peace and blessings be upon him) delayed coming out so that it would not become obligatory. He explained the reason, which indicated that the tarawih prayer in congregation in the mosque is a recommended practice (sunnah). So the people used to pray it in separate groups in the mosque behind different imams. When 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) saw the people scattered in the mosque during his caliphate, he gathered them behind a single imam, just as they had gathered behind the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) on the nights he prayed with them. Thus, 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) revived the Sunnah of the Messenger, because the concern that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) feared had ended with his death (peace and blessings be upon him); no ruling of the Shari'ah becomes obligatory after the death of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). When the concern was removed, 'Umar gathered them behind a single imam, Abu ibn Ka'b (may Allah be pleased with him), and he led them in congregation. This practice has continued, praise be to Allah, to this day among the Muslims, who pray it in congregation in the mosques. Yes.