Is praying more than 8 rak’ahs in Tarawih a bid’ah?

Praise be to Allah

Summary:  No, praying more than 8 rak’ahs in Tarawih is not considered a bid’ah.

Detailed Answer:

The Sunnah, as reported in authentic hadiths and practiced by the Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم), is to pray eleven rak’ahs at night. He typically prayed eight rak’ahs followed by two rak’ahs of shaf’ and one rak’ah of witr. Sometimes, he prayed thirteen rak’ahs, as reported by ‘Aishah and Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them).

• Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: “The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) used not to pray more than eleven rak’ahs, whether in Ramadan or in any other month. He used to pray four rak’ahs — let alone their beauty and length — and then four rak’ahs, let alone their beauty and length. After that, he would pray three rak’ahs (witr).” (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 1147; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 738)
• Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “The prayer of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) during the night (in Ramadan and other months) was thirteen rak’ahs.” (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 1147; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 764)

Although the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) primarily prayed eight rak’ahs, he indicated the permissibility of praying more in the hadith: “Night prayer is two by two” (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 990). Therefore, praying more than 8 rak’ahs is permissible but not specifically Sunnah.

And Allah Knows Best