What is the Sunnah regarding the number of rak'ahs in the Tarawih prayer, and what is the ruling on increasing the number and continuing with the number prayed by the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him)?
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The questioner : What is the Sunnah regarding the number of rak'ahs in the Tarawih prayer, and what is the ruling on increasing the number and continuing with the number prayed by the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him)?
The Shaykh : The Sunnah regarding the number of rak'ahs in Tarawih is that it be eleven or thirteen, but there is no harm in increasing beyond that, because when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) was asked about the night prayer, he said: and did not specify a number, and he said to some of his Companions: Sahih Muslim 489 and did not specify a number.
The fact that he (peace and blessings be upon him) limited himself to this act, namely eleven or thirteen, does not necessitate prohibiting an increase. For this reason, the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) differed regarding the number of rak'ahs in Tarawih, and the matter is broad in this regard. Whoever prays as the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) prayed, with tranquility and lengthening the recitation, bowing, and prostration, that is better. And whoever lightens the prayer and increases the number, that is better, if Allah wills, and there is no harm for a person in that.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.
The Shaykh : The Sunnah regarding the number of rak'ahs in Tarawih is that it be eleven or thirteen, but there is no harm in increasing beyond that, because when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) was asked about the night prayer, he said:
Two by two
مثنى مثنىhelp me to achieve this for you by devoting yourself often to prostration
أعني على نفسك بكثرة السجودThe fact that he (peace and blessings be upon him) limited himself to this act, namely eleven or thirteen, does not necessitate prohibiting an increase. For this reason, the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) differed regarding the number of rak'ahs in Tarawih, and the matter is broad in this regard. Whoever prays as the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) prayed, with tranquility and lengthening the recitation, bowing, and prostration, that is better. And whoever lightens the prayer and increases the number, that is better, if Allah wills, and there is no harm for a person in that.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.