A Detailed Qur’an & Hadith-Based Analysis

Ramadan is the month of mercy, forgiveness, and immense spiritual elevation. Among its most beloved acts of worship is Ṣalāt al-Tarāwīḥ — the special night prayer performed after ‘Ishā’. Across the Muslim world, however, one question repeatedly arises:

Should Tarawih be prayed as 8 rak‘ahs or 20 rak‘ahs?

This discussion is not new. It has existed for centuries. To understand it properly, we must examine:

Evidence from the Qur’an
Evidence from the Hadith
Practice of the Prophet ﷺ
Practice of the Sahabah, especially Sayyiduna ‘Umar (RA)
Historical practice in Makkah and Madinah
Origins of the modern dispute

Table of Contents

1️⃣ Tarawih in the Qur’an

The Qur’an does not specify a fixed number of rak‘ahs for Tarawih. However, it establishes the foundation of night prayer in Ramadan.

Allah says:

“O you who believe! Fasting has been prescribed for you…”
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:183)

And regarding night worship:

“Stand (in prayer) at night except a little.”
(Surah Al-Muzzammil 73:2)

From these verses, scholars derive that:

Night prayer is highly emphasized.
Ramadan nights carry special virtue.
The number of rak‘ahs is not fixed in Qur’anic text.

Thus, the specific format comes from Hadith and Sahabi practice, not direct Qur’anic command.

2️⃣ Did the Prophet ﷺ Pray Tarawih?

Yes — authentic Hadith confirm this.

Hadith: Prophet led Tarawih for 3 nights

Narrated by Sayyidah ‘Aishah (RA):

“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ prayed in the mosque one night and people prayed behind him… Then the next night… then the third night… On the fourth night the mosque was full but he did not come out…”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)

When asked why, he said:

“I feared it would become obligatory upon you.”

Key lessons from this Hadith

Prophet ﷺ established congregational Tarawih.
He led it for three nights only.
He stopped — not because it was wrong — but to prevent obligation.

3️⃣ How Many Rak‘ahs Did the Prophet ﷺ Pray?

This is where the discussion begins.

Evidence used for 8 Rak‘ahs

Another narration from ‘Aishah (RA):

“The Prophet ﷺ never prayed more than 11 rak‘ahs in Ramadan or outside it.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari)

Scholars explaining this Hadith say:

8 rak‘ahs = Night prayer
3 rak‘ahs = Witr
Total = 11

Salafi and some modern scholars use this narration to support 8 rak‘ahs Tarawih.

4️⃣ Important Clarification

This Hadith describes the Prophet’s personal Tahajjud, not necessarily congregational Tarawih.

Why?

The narration says “in Ramadan and outside Ramadan.”
Tarawih exists only in Ramadan.
Therefore it refers to general night prayer, not a fixed Tarawih count.

Many classical scholars made this distinction, including:

Imam Nawawi
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani
Imam Bayhaqi

5️⃣ Practice of the Sahabah

After the Prophet ﷺ passed away, Muslims continued praying Tarawih individually during the Khilafah of Abu Bakr (RA).

But the formal congregational structure was organized later.

6️⃣ Sayyiduna ‘Umar (RA) Establishes 20 Rak‘ahs

During his Khilafah, Sayyiduna ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) saw people praying in scattered groups.

He unified them behind one Imam — Ubayy ibn Ka‘b (RA).

Famous statement of ‘Umar (RA)

“What an excellent innovation this is.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari)

This was not a religious innovation but an administrative organization of an already established Sunnah.

Number of Rak‘ahs

Authentic reports state:

“They would pray 20 rak‘ahs in the time of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab.”
(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, Bayhaqi)

This practice continued with:

Sayyiduna ‘Uthman (RA)
Sayyiduna ‘Ali (RA)
The Tabi‘in
The great Imams

No Sahabi opposed this consensus.

7️⃣ If We Follow the “3 Nights Only” Argument…

Some argue:

Prophet ﷺ led only 3 nights — so we should limit Tarawih.

But this reasoning creates inconsistency.

Because:

If we follow that literally → Tarawih should be only 3 nights, not the whole month.
Yet no Muslim community limits Tarawih to 3 nights.

Why?

Because the Prophet ﷺ stopped due to fear of obligation — not because continuation was wrong.

After his passing, that fear ended.

Thus, the Sahabah expanded it for the full month.

8️⃣ Historical Practice in Makkah & Madinah

For over 1400 years, the Haramain maintained 20 rak‘ahs.

Makkah (Masjid al-Haram)

20 rak‘ahs Tarawih
Followed by Witr
Continuous practice for centuries

Madinah (Masjid an-Nabawi)

Also 20 rak‘ahs historically
At times even 36 rak‘ahs were prayed (including extra nafl)

This shows flexibility above 8 — not restriction to it.

9️⃣ Position of the Four Madhhabs

All four Sunni schools support 20 rak‘ahs.

Madhhab	Tarawih Rak‘ahs
Hanafi	20
Maliki	20 (sometimes 36 historically)
Shafi‘i	20
Hanbali	20

This represents centuries of scholarly consensus (Ijma‘).

🔟 Where Did the 8 Rak‘ah View Come From?

The strong push for 8 rak‘ahs became prominent much later.

It was emphasized by:

Some modern reform movements
Salafi scholars
Literalist Hadith interpretation circles

Their reasoning:

Prophet ﷺ prayed 8 in Tahajjud.
So Tarawih should match that.

However, classical scholars responded:

Tarawih ≠ Tahajjud necessarily
Congregational structure came via Sahabah
‘Umar’s arrangement holds Sunnah authority

1️⃣1️⃣ Scholarly Principle: Sunnah of the Khulafa

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

“Follow my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided Caliphs after me.”
(Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi)

Thus:

Practice of ‘Umar (RA) is authoritative.
Especially when accepted by all Sahabah.

This strengthens the 20 rak‘ah position significantly.

1️⃣2️⃣ Which One Is Better?

Both Are Valid

Important scholarly agreement:

Praying 8 rak‘ahs is permissible.
Tarawih is voluntary (nafl).
No fixed Qur’anic limit exists.

So Muslims should not declare each other wrong.

Why 20 Rak‘ahs Is Considered Stronger

Scholars preferring 20 cite:

Consensus of Sahabah
Organization by ‘Umar (RA)**
Continuous Ummah practice**
Haramain tradition**
Four Madhhab agreement**
Greater opportunity for Qur’an recitation**

Historically and institutionally, 20 became the dominant Sunnah form.

1️⃣3️⃣ Spiritual Wisdom Behind 20

Ramadan is the month of the Qur’an.

Longer Tarawih allows:

Completion of Qur’an (Khatm)
Extended Qiyam
Greater reward
Communal unity

Shortening it excessively may reduce these virtues.

1️⃣4️⃣ Balance & Unity

Islam emphasizes unity over secondary disputes.

Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal said:

“Pray with your Imam — whether he prays 8 or 20.”

Because:

Congregation unity > rak‘ah count dispute

Conclusion

The Tarawih rak‘ah discussion is rooted in sincere scholarly interpretation — not contradiction.

Summary:

Qur’an encourages night prayer but sets no number.
Prophet ﷺ led Tarawih for 3 nights.
He did not fix 8 or 20 publicly.
‘Umar (RA) institutionalized 20 rak‘ahs.
All Sahabah accepted it.
Haramain upheld it for centuries.
Four Madhhabs endorse it.
8 rak‘ahs remains permissible but not the historical majority structure.

Final Reflection

If we followed the “3-night only” narration literally, Tarawih would end after three nights — yet the Ummah never practiced that.

This shows reliance on the Sunnah of the Sahabah, especially Sayyiduna ‘Umar (RA)**, in shaping Ramadan Tarawih for the full month.

Thus, while both forms are valid:

20 rak‘ahs stands as the stronger, historically continuous, and consensus-backed practice of the Ummah — especially as upheld for centuries in Makkah and Madinah.

Ramadan

Ramadan: Tarawih — 8 Rak‘ahs or 20 Rak‘ahs?