The Ruling on the Prophet’s Consistency in Praying Tarawih

Question:
The freedom of the Shaykh, or the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), regarding these [prayers] and the Tarawih prayer, or the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) regarding these [prayers] and the Tarawih prayer. I ask Allah the Exalted about the Muslims: how should they be guided? And is it permissible to abandon acts of worship in this manner?

Answer:
Yes, if the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) was consistent in doing something and never left it off, that is evidence of its obligatoriness. But if he did it sometimes and left it off other times, that is evidence that it is a recommended practice (sunnah). The Tarawih prayer is of this kind; he performed it. And is it light that you become angry with you? He did not forbid them from it. They used to pray it in the mosque in groups during his time (peace and blessings be upon him), and he saw them doing so and did not prevent them.