The Meaning of 'Umar's Statement: "What a Good Innovation"

Question:
May Allah reward you. The questioner says: I am confused by the statement of 'Umar ibn al-Khattab when he said, "What a good innovation," when the Companions gathered behind a single imam in the tarawih prayer.

Answer:
It is an innovation in the linguistic sense, not a religious innovation, because it was something the people had not been accustomed to after the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). 'Umar revived the Sunnah. They used to pray behind the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in Ramadan, but he delayed doing so for them out of fear that it might become obligatory upon them. When the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) passed away, the concern was removed, because legislation ended with the death of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). Therefore, there was no fear that it would become obligatory for the people; it remained a recommended practice. When the concern was gone, 'Umar revived the Sunnah and did not commit an innovation. He only said, "What a good innovation," meaning it is a linguistic innovation, i.e., something the people had not been accustomed to and had not known for a long time.