Is there a difference between one who prays the tarawih prayer in the mosque and one who prays it in his home?

The questioner : What is the difference now between a person praying it in his home, because the voluntary prayer in the home is still a voluntary prayer, and the mosque voluntary prayer, and he prays it in the last third after he sleeps and gets up, whereas the people are praying it in the first part in congregation? Why do you prefer this over that?

The Shaykh : That is your question. I wish you had not brought up the word "contradiction." You should say, "How do we reconcile them?" Now, the prayer for rain, the eclipse prayer, and the lunar eclipse prayer are these prayed in congregation. Is it better to pray them individually or in congregation?

The questioner : In congregation.

The Shaykh : Why? Because the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed it in congregation, because the Sunnah is to pray it in congregation. Now, a question to the core comes up: Is the tarawih prayer in congregation a Sunnah or individual?

The questioner : ......

The Shaykh : We do not want to repeat the previous lecture. We want the summary of the previous lecture. Based on that, the question was asked, and I hope the answer will come. Is the tarawih prayer in congregation a Sunnah or an innovation?

The questioner : It is a recommended practice.

The Shaykh : What is the difference between it and the other congregations? I asked you about them and you did not hesitate, but when I asked you about the tarawih congregation, you gave me a hint, and a hint is enough for an expression. Why did you shape it that way, since you finally believe it is a Sunnah?

The questioner : ....

The Shaykh : I seek forgiveness from Allah for your saying this, especially when you attribute it to me. So I seek forgiveness from Allah again. I consider the words of 'Umar as completing [the matter]. Allahu Akbar. I said frankly, "Mr. Professor, 'Umar's action was a reviving of the Sunnah, not a completing of it." And I said that this Sunnah is both practical and verbal. This Sunnah is from his action and from his saying. Now, after this quick clarification, you can repeat your question, and if it is in another phrase, your question will be straight.

The questioner : No, I want...

The Shaykh : No, it is not a Sunnah. This is what I want to hear from him. But the intention is that we will strengthen your arm with your brother. You are speaking of this as a purely pluralistic Sunnah. That congregation is explained by the cause of the fear that it would be made obligatory upon you. So when the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) died, it did not remain, and the matter ended. Today, "I have perfected for you your religion."

The questioner : It is possible... A man's prayer in his home is better, except for the obligatory prayer in the mosque. Then his prayer in congregation in his home is better than the congregation in the mosque.

The Shaykh : I will remove the difficulty for you. Pray, O people, in your homes, in congregation or individually?

The questioner : Individually, of course.

The Shaykh : Of course. The previous question returns: Is the tarawih prayer individually in the homes better, or in the mosque in congregation?

The questioner : In congregation in the mosque.

The Shaykh : So what is the question? We have returned there.

The questioner : ... In congregation in Ramadan only.

The Shaykh : Standing in night prayer in the other Sunnahs.

The questioner : Okay, a man's prayer with his wife, meaning the man and his wife, every day he wakes her up from sleep to pray with him, in other than Ramadan, the standing of the first tashahhud, all of it or half of it?

The Shaykh : There is no half of it. All of it, complete.