Taraweeh

Taraweeh is necessary for Muslims who keeps Fast and it has got thousands of virtues, and we have 20 rakaat's for taraweeh and let we see in the light of hadith and by the act of Sahabah.

Later Umar (RA) Allowed CongregationPraying at Night in Ramadaan (Taraweeh) Bukhari :: Book 3 :: Volume 32 :: Hadith 227 Narrated Abu Huraira:Allah's Apostle said, "Whoever prayed at night the whole month of Ramadan out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven." Ibn Shihab (a sub-narrator) said, "Allah's Apostle died and the people continued observing that (i.e. Nawafil offered individually, not in congregation), and it remained as it was during the Caliphate of Abu Bakr and in the early days of 'Umar's Caliphate." 'Abdur Rahman bin 'Abdul Qari said, "I went out in the company of 'Umar bin Al-Khattab one night in Ramadan to the mosque and found the people praying in different groups. A man praying alone or a man praying with a little group behind him. So, 'Umar said, 'In my opinion I would better collect these (people) under the leadership of one Qari (Reciter) (i.e. let them pray in congregation!)'. So, he made up his mind to congregate them behind Ubai bin Ka'b. Then on another night I went again in his company and the people were praying behind their reciter. On that, 'Umar remarked, 'What an excellent Bid'a (i.e. innovation in religion) this is; but the prayer which they do not perform, but sleep at its time is better than the one they are offering.' He meant the prayer in the last part of the night. (In those days) people used to pray in the early part of the night."

Twenty Three RakatsPrayer in Ramadan Malik :: Book 6 : Hadith 6।2.5Yahya related to me from Malik that Yazid ibn Ruman said, "The people used to watch the night in prayer during Ramadan for twenty-three rakas in the time of Umar ibn al-Khattab."*Note:Twenty of Taraweeh and 3 of witr.We also find that some of the Taba'een used to pray 20 and some used to pray 36 Rakats in Tarawih. (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaiba, Vol.2, Pages 165 & 166).

Praying at Night in Ramadaan (Taraweeh) Bukhari :: Book 3 :: Volume 32 :: Hadith 226 Narrated Abu Huraira:I heard Allah's Apostle saying regarding Ramadan, "Whoever prayed at night in it (the month of Ramadan) out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven।"

Taraweeh is 20 It is related from Sayyidina Ibn Abbas (RA) : ‘The Prophet (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) would pray 20 Rakats and then witr in the month of Ramadhan।’ (Musnad ibn Abi Shaybah vol 2, p294/ Sunan Baihaqi vol 2, p496/ Tibraani Kabir vol 11, p393/ Musnad ibn Hameed p218)

Ibn Hajar Al Asqalani (RA) related from Imam Rafi (RA) : The Prophet prayed 20 Rakats in Taraweeh on two consecutive nights with a congregation in Ramdhan। On the third night many more people gathered (for a congregation) but the Prophet (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) did not appear before them. In the morning the Prophet (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) stated: ‘It occurred to me that this prayer (20 Rakats in Ramadhan) could become compulsory (Fard) upon you, and you would not be able to bear it.’ This narration related by Hafiz Ibn Hajar Asqalani, after relating it, he used to state: ‘There is a consensus amongst all the Muhadditheen that this narration is sound (Sahih).’ (Talkeesul Habeer Fe Takhreej Ahadith Rafi ul Kabeer vol 1, p119)

Sayyidah Aisha (RA) related: ‘After these nights (23, 25 &27th) the congregation grew to a very large number on the 29th night। The Masjid of the Prophet had become filled to capacity. On this night the Prophet (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) only cameout to lead the people for the Fajr prayer. After the Fajr prayer, the Prophet (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) stated: ‘I knew that you had gathered for the night prayer (Taraweeh) but I feared that this prayer would become compulsory (Fard) upon you and you would find it difficult to fulfil. (Sahih Bukhari vol 1, p269/ Sahih Muslim vol 1, p259)

Even in the days in which the Prophet (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) did not pray in congregation, Sayyidina Ibn Abbas (RA) has related: Verily in the month of Ramadhan, The Prophet (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) used to pray 20 Rakats and Witr independent from any congregation। (Sunan Baihaqi As-Sunanul Kubra vol 2, p496)