Fatwa no. 3953 (Share widely) 8 or 20? Q: What is the opinion of the Fuqaha' (Muslim jurists) and scholars of religion on Tarawih (special supererogatory night Prayer in Ramadan)? Is it twenty or eight Rak'ahs (units of Prayer) - according to the Sunnah? [....] A: Tarawih is a Sunnah (supererogatory act of worship following the example of the Prophet) initiated by the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). There are proofs that he (ﷺ) never offered more than eleven Rak'ahs, whether in Ramadan or at any other time. Abu Salamah asked 'Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) about the manner in which the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to offer supererogatory Salah (Prayer) in Ramadan. She said, 'The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) did not pray more than eleven Rak'ahs in Ramadan or at any other time. He would pray four Rak'ahs, and do not ask about their beauty and length, then he would pray four Rak'ahs, and do not ask about their beauty and length, then he would pray three Rak'ahs. Aishah added, 'I asked: O Messenger of Allah! Will you sleep before offering the Witr (Prayer with an odd number of units)?' He said, 'O Aishah! My eyes sleep. but my heart does not. [1] (Agreed upon by Al-Bukhari and Muslim) It was also authentically reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to offer thirteen Rak'ahs on some nights. Thus, the words of Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) when she said that The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) did not pray more than eleven Rak'ahs in Ramadan or at any other time [2] should be interpreted according to the more frequent practice of the Prophet (ﷺ) in order to reconcile between the Hadiths. There is nothing wrong in offering more than this, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not set a specific limit for optional Night Prayer. When he was asked about it, he (peace be upon him) stated: (Optional) Night Salah is two Rak'ahs followed by two Rak'ahs (and so on), and when one of you fears the break of dawn (Fajr Prayer), let them offer a single Rak'ah to make the Salah they have offered Witr (Prayer with an odd number of units). [3]) (Agreed upon by Al-Bukhari and Muslim) He (ﷺ) did not set a limit, whether eleven Rak'ahs or anything else, which indicates the flexibility in optional Night Prayer, whether in Ramadan or at any other time. May Allah grant us success! May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions! Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta' Member Abdullah ibn Qa'ud Member Abdullah ibn Ghudayyan Deputy Chairman Abdul-Razzaq Afify Chairman Abdul-Aziz ibn Abdullah ibn Baz Source: Fatwas of the Permanent Committee (Part No. 7; Page No. 195 -196) [1] Related by Malik, Al-Muwatta, vol. 1, p. 120; Al-Bukhari, vol. 2. pp. 47-48, 252-253, and vol. 4, p. 168; Muslim, vol. 1, p. 509, no. 738; Abu Dawud, vol. 2, pp. 86-87, no. 1341; Al-Nasa*y, vol. 3, р. 234, по. 1697; Al-Tirmidhy, val. 2, pp. 302-303, по. 439; Abdul-Razzaq, vol. 3, p. 38, no. 4711; Ibn Khuzaymah, vol. 2, p. 192, по. 1166; Ibn Hibban, vol. 6, p. 186, no. 2430; Al-Bayhaqy, vol. 2, pp. 495 496, vol. 3, p. 6, and vol. 7, p. 62; Al-Baghawy, Sharh Al-Sunnah, vol. 4, pp. 4-5, no. 899; and Al-Tahawy, Sharh Ma any Al-Athar, vol. 1, p. 282. [2] Related by Malik, Al-Muwatta, vol. 1, p. 120; Al-Bukhari, vol. 2, pp. 47-48, 252-253, and vol. 4, p. 168; Muslim, vol. 1, p. 509, no. 738; Abu Dawud, vol. 2, pp. 86-87, no. 1341; Al-Nasay, vol. 3. р. 234, по. 1697; Al-Tirmidhy, vol. 2, pp. 302-303, no. 439; Abdul-Razzaq, vol. 3, p. 38, no. 4711; Ibn Khuzaymah, vol. 2, p. 192, по. 1166; Ibn Hibban, vol. 6, p. 186, no. 2430; Al-Bayhaqy, vol. 2. pp. 495-496, vol. 3, p. 6, and vol. 7, p. 62; Al-Baghawy, Sharh Al-Sunnah, vol. 4, pp. 4-5, no. 899; and Al-Tahawy, Sharh Ma'any Al-Athar, vol. 1, p. 282. [3] Related by Malik, vol. 1, p. 123; Al-Bukhari, vol. 3, p. 16, Book on Tahajjud, Chapter on how the Prophet (peace be upon him) prayed at night: Muslim, no. 749, Book on travelers Salah and Salah shortening, Chapter on offering the night Prayer in two Rak as; Abu Dawud, no. 1326; Al-Tirmidhy, no. 537; and Al-Nasaty, vol. 3. p.227