What is the number of rak'ahs in the tarawih prayer, and is it permissible to combine four rak'ahs with a single taslim?
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The questioner : He is asking about the tarawih prayer and the number of its rak'ahs, and whether it is permissible to combine four rak'ahs in a single taslim?
The Shaykh : The tarawih prayer is a recommended practice (sunnah) established by the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) through his action, and he encouraged it with his words when he said:Mishkat al-Masabih 1958. The tarawih prayer is undoubtedly part of standing in night prayer.
As for its number, the best number to perform it with is either thirteen rak'ahs or fourteen rak'ahs, because this is the number that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not exceed, neither in Ramadan nor in any other time, as established from the Mother of the Believers, A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her), when she was asked about the prayer of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in Ramadan, she said:Sahih al-Bukhari 3569.
And if a person increases beyond that, there is no blame on him, because the matter is broad in this regard, and various forms have been narrated from the righteous predecessors, and they differed in it. And whatever is of this nature, no one is censured for it.
As for its time, it is between the recommended practice (sunnah) of 'Isha' and the witr prayer, whether in the early part of the night or the late part of the night.
The questioner : Combining four rak'ahs in a single taslim?
The Shaykh : Combining four rak'ahs in a single taslim is contrary to the Sunnah without a doubt, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sunan Abi Dawud 1295Sahih (Al-Albani). And if we combine four rak'ahs in a single taslim, the prayer would not be in pairs. Except in the witr, if one performs witr with five, he may recite them all consecutively, and with seven, likewise, he may recite them with a single taslim, and with nine, he sits after the eighth, recites the tashahhud, and says taslim, then prays the ninth, recites the tashahhud, and says taslim, and with eleven rak'ahs, he says taslim after every two.
The questioner : May Allah reward you, O honorable Shaykh, and may Allah bless you and your knowledge, and benefit the Muslims through you.
The Shaykh : The tarawih prayer is a recommended practice (sunnah) established by the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) through his action, and he encouraged it with his words when he said:
He who fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from God will have his past sins forgiven; he who prays during the night in Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from God will have his past sins forgiven
من صام رمضان إيماناً واحتساباً غفر الله له ما تقدم من ذنبه، ومن قام رمضان إيماناً واحتساباً غفر الله له ما تقدم من ذنبهAs for its number, the best number to perform it with is either thirteen rak'ahs or fourteen rak'ahs, because this is the number that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not exceed, neither in Ramadan nor in any other time, as established from the Mother of the Believers, A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her), when she was asked about the prayer of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in Ramadan, she said:
He 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 if a person increases beyond that, there is no blame on him, because the matter is broad in this regard, and various forms have been narrated from the righteous predecessors, and they differed in it. And whatever is of this nature, no one is censured for it.
As for its time, it is between the recommended practice (sunnah) of 'Isha' and the witr prayer, whether in the early part of the night or the late part of the night.
The questioner : Combining four rak'ahs in a single taslim?
The Shaykh : Combining four rak'ahs in a single taslim is contrary to the Sunnah without a doubt, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Prayer by night and day should consist of pairs of rak'ahs.
صلاة الليل والنهار مثنى مثنىThe questioner : May Allah reward you, O honorable Shaykh, and may Allah bless you and your knowledge, and benefit the Muslims through you.