How many rak'ahs are there in the Tarawih prayer, and is it permissible to pray Witr as three consecutive rak'ahs without the Tashahhud in the second rak'ah?

Question:
He asks a number of questions, the first of which is about the number of rak'ahs in the Tarawih prayer: is it eight rak'ahs or twenty? And is it permissible to pray Witr as three consecutive rak'ahs without the Tashahhud in the second rak'ah?

Answer:
As for the number of rak'ahs in the Tarawih prayer, no specific number has been established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) regarding this. Rather, he encouraged his Ummah to strive in worship during the month of Ramadan, and he said , but he did not specify a number of rak'ahs. So the matter remains open for the Muslim; he prays whatever is easy for him, and the more he prays, the greater his reward with Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He). However, the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) in the time of 'Umar ibn al-Khattab, when he gathered them behind a single imam, Ubayy ibn Ka'b and Tamim al-Dari, they would lead the people in twenty-three rak'ahs: twenty rak'ahs of Tarawih and three of Witr. This was the practice of the Rightly Guided Caliph 'Umar ibn al-Khattab. Likewise, 'Ali ibn Abi Talib ordered the imam to pray twenty rak'ahs of Tarawih. This was the practice of the Companions in the presence of the Muhajireen and the Ansar, and in the Mosque of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). And he (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
after me. This is part of the Sunnah of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, 'Umar and 'Ali (may Allah the Exalted be pleased with them both). Whoever wants to follow the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) may pray eleven or thirteen rak'ahs, and that is permissible for him. But who can manage the prayer of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)? Most people, even the strongest among them, cannot manage it. He (peace and blessings be upon him) used to prolong the standing to the extent that he would recite in a single rak'ah, as established in the hadith of Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman, Surat al-Baqarah, Surat al-Nisa, and Surat Aal 'Imran. Then he would bow in a long bowing, approximately the length of his standing, and then prostrate in a long prostration, approximately the length of his bowing. He would pause at every verse, asking for mercy at verses of mercy and seeking refuge with Allah at verses of punishment. And he (peace and blessings be upon him) would recite in a measured, melodious manner. So who can manage a prayer like this? Therefore, the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) lightened the prayer and increased the number of rak'ahs, praying twenty-three rak'ahs in the Mosque of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). So they acted with ease, praise be to Allah, and they increased the number of rak'ahs because they lightened the prayer. They did not pray it as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to pray it in the manner we mentioned, because that would be difficult for the people. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: . It is generally the case that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to pray for himself, and he would pray alone, prolonging his prayer. But when he led the people (peace and blessings be upon him), he would consider the conditions of the ma'mumin (those praying behind the imam). In fact, if he heard the crying of a child, he would shorten the prayer out of mercy for the mother. This is the Sunnah of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). As for those who say that it is not permissible to increase beyond eleven or thirteen rak'ahs in Ramadan, they are mistaken. Rather, it is permissible to increase. 'Umar increased, Ubayy ibn Ka'b increased, Tamim al-Dari increased, and 'Ali ibn Abi Talib increased. This happened in the presence of the Muhajireen and the Ansar, and they did not object to it. So the matter is broad, praise be to Allah. Yes.