How many rak'ahs are there in the tarawih prayer, and what is the stronger opinion among the scholars' views on this? Please inform us, may Allah reward you.
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The questioner : How many rak'ahs are there in the tarawih prayer? And what is the stronger opinion among the scholars' views on this?
The Shaykh : The stronger opinion regarding the number of rak'ahs in the tarawih prayer is that the matter is broad in this regard, and that if a person prays eleven rak'ahs, or thirteen rak'ahs, or seventeen rak'ahs, or twenty-three rak'ahs, or thirty-nine rak'ahs, or less than that or more, the matter is broad in all of this, praise be to Allah. For this reason, when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked, "What do you think of the night prayer?" he said:Sunan Abi Dawud 1326Sahih (Al-Albani) The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not specify a particular number for the questioner that he should not exceed, so it is known from this that the matter is broad in this regard. However, the best number by which it is performed is what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to maintain, and that is what is established in the two Sahihs from the hadith of Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that she was asked how the prayer of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was in Ramadan? So she said: Sahih al-Bukhari 3569 And if he prays thirteen rak'ahs, the Sunnah is also established by that. And on this basis, the excellent and preferable number revolves between eleven rak'ahs and thirteen rak'ahs, and this is better than what is added to it if tranquility, deliberation, and the ability to engage in much supplication, glorification, and recitation of the Qur'an are achieved therein.
And on this occasion, I would like to direct two words, one to the imams, and the second to the ma'mumin (those praying behind the imam).
As for the imams, it is obligatory for them to fear Allah (Mighty and Majestic) regarding the Muslims whom Allah has placed under their care and made them imams for them, and they should perform the prayer in the most perfect manner that allows the people to pray their prayer while being tranquil, able to engage in supplication and much glorification. The scholars (may Allah have mercy on them) mentioned that it is disliked for the imam to hasten with a speed that prevents the ma'mumin from doing what is recommended. If he hastens with a speed that prevents the ma'mumin from doing what is obligatory, that is forbidden for him. Many of the imams, may Allah guide us and them, hasten in the tarawih prayer with a haste that may compromise tranquility. And it is known that compromising tranquility is a cause for the invalidation of the prayer, as in the two Sahihs from the hadith of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): that a man entered the mosque and prayed, and he had prayed a prayer in which he did not attain tranquility. Then he came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and greeted him, so the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to him:Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2692Sahih (Darussalam) The man returned and prayed, but he prayed a prayer in which he did not attain tranquility. Then he came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), so he said to him: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2692Sahih (Darussalam) He returned and prayed as he had prayed the first time. Then he came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), so he said to him: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2692Sahih (Darussalam) The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) repeated this to him twice after his first prayer. So the man said: "By Him who sent you with the truth, I do not know how to do anything other than this, so teach me." So the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) taught him and said to him: Bulugh al-Maram 2:139.
As for the second word, it is to the ma'mumin. What is required of the ma'mumin is that they should strive for this prayer, the tarawih prayer, and maintain it with the imam, and not waste it by going here and there, praying one or two taslims in this mosque, then going to another mosque, and so on, until the time is wasted for them. It is required for them to maintain these tarawih prayers, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Jami` at-Tirmidhi 806Sahih (Darussalam) So if you enter with the imam and stand with him until he finishes his prayer, Allah will record for you the standing of the night, even if you were sleeping on your bed. So it is not befitting for a believer to waste this precious opportunity of his life by wandering here and there. And we ask Allah for all of you success and guidance.
The questioner : May Allah reward you.
The Shaykh : The stronger opinion regarding the number of rak'ahs in the tarawih prayer is that the matter is broad in this regard, and that if a person prays eleven rak'ahs, or thirteen rak'ahs, or seventeen rak'ahs, or twenty-three rak'ahs, or thirty-nine rak'ahs, or less than that or more, the matter is broad in all of this, praise be to Allah. For this reason, when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked, "What do you think of the night prayer?" he said:
should consist of pairs of rak'ahs, but if one of you fears the morning is near he should pray one rak'ah which will make his prayer an odd number for him.
مثنى مثنى، فإذا خشي أحدكم الصبح صلى ركعة واحدة توتر له ما قد صلىHe used not to pray more than eleven rak`at whether in Ramadan or in any other month.
ما كان يزيد في رمضان ولا غيره على إحدى عشرة ركعةAnd on this occasion, I would like to direct two words, one to the imams, and the second to the ma'mumin (those praying behind the imam).
As for the imams, it is obligatory for them to fear Allah (Mighty and Majestic) regarding the Muslims whom Allah has placed under their care and made them imams for them, and they should perform the prayer in the most perfect manner that allows the people to pray their prayer while being tranquil, able to engage in supplication and much glorification. The scholars (may Allah have mercy on them) mentioned that it is disliked for the imam to hasten with a speed that prevents the ma'mumin from doing what is recommended. If he hastens with a speed that prevents the ma'mumin from doing what is obligatory, that is forbidden for him. Many of the imams, may Allah guide us and them, hasten in the tarawih prayer with a haste that may compromise tranquility. And it is known that compromising tranquility is a cause for the invalidation of the prayer, as in the two Sahihs from the hadith of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): that a man entered the mosque and prayed, and he had prayed a prayer in which he did not attain tranquility. Then he came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and greeted him, so the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to him:
go back and pray for indeed you have not prayed.
ارجع فصل فإنك لم تصلgo back and pray for indeed you have not prayed.
ارجع فصل فإنك لم تصلgo back and pray for indeed you have not prayed.
ارجع فصل فإنك لم تصلWhen you get up to pray, perform ablution perfectly, then face the Qiblah and say: 'Allahu Akbar' (Allah is the Most Great). Then recite a convenient portion of the Qur'an; then bow and remain calmly in that position for a moment, then rise up and stand erect; then prostrate and remain calmly in that position for a moment, then rise up and sit calmly, then prostrate and remain calmly in that position for a moment; then do that throughout your prayer.
إذا قمت إلى الصلاة فأسبغ الوضوء، ثم استقبل القبلة فكبر، ثم اقرأ ما تيسر معك من القرآن، ثم اركع حتى تطمئن راكعاً، ثم ارفع حتى تطمئن قائماً، ثم اسجد حتى تطمئن ساجداً، ثم ارفع حتى تطمئن جالساً، ثم اسجد حتى تطمئن ساجداً، ثم افعل ذلك في صلاتك كلهاAs for the second word, it is to the ma'mumin. What is required of the ma'mumin is that they should strive for this prayer, the tarawih prayer, and maintain it with the imam, and not waste it by going here and there, praying one or two taslims in this mosque, then going to another mosque, and so on, until the time is wasted for them. It is required for them to maintain these tarawih prayers, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Indeed, whoever stands (praying) with the Imam until he finished, then it is recorded for him that he prayed the whole night.
من قام مع الإمام حتى ينصرف كتب له قيام ليلةThe questioner : May Allah reward you.