Tarāweeh: 8 or More Rakʿahs?
Sunnah Practice, Flexibility, and the Question of Bid’ah
The Prophet ﷺ prayed eleven rakʿahs at night, usually eight rakʿahs plus witr. This is the Sunnah. At the same time, he taught that night prayer is open-ended: “Night prayer is two by two.” That makes praying more than eight rakʿahs permissible and not a bidʿah.
| Tarāweeh — Critical Overview | |
|---|---|
| Name and meaning | Tarāweeh (تراويح) comes from “rest,” referring to pauses taken during long night prayers in Ramadan. |
| Islamic ruling | Praying eight rakʿahs is Sunnah. Praying more is permissible and not bidʿah, as night prayer is flexible by prophetic teaching. |
| When it started | The Prophet ﷺ prayed it during Ramadan nights but stopped leading it in congregation so it would not become obligatory. Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) later revived congregational Tarāweeh. |
| Where it spread | Observed worldwide: some mosques pray 8, others 20, and some even more rakʿahs depending on local tradition. |
| Practices associated with it |
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Prophetic Guidance
Aishah (RA) said: “The Prophet ﷺ never prayed more than eleven rakʿahs, whether in Ramadan or outside it.” (Bukhari 1147, Muslim 738). Ibn Abbas (RA) reported thirteen rakʿahs (Muslim 764).
The Prophet ﷺ also said:
“The night prayer is two by two.” Bukhari 990
This establishes that while his practice was usually eight rakʿahs, the principle of night prayer allows flexibility in number.
Scholarly Consensus
Scholars agree the Sunnah is eight rakʿahs with witr. Increasing the number does not make it a bidʿah, because the hadith “two by two” opens the door for more. This is why both 8 and 20 rakʿahs became practiced across the ummah.
The Wisdom Behind the Ruling
- Consistency: The Prophet’s ﷺ practice anchors the Sunnah at eight rakʿahs.
- Flexibility: His words “two by two” establish room for more.
- Community: Different numbers in different places reflect healthy diversity, not contradiction.
- Balance: Both short and extended Tarāweeh prayers serve the same purpose: standing in worship during Ramadan nights.
Common Misconceptions
1) “Praying more than 8 rakʿahs is a bidʿah.”
Not correct. The Prophet ﷺ allowed flexibility in night prayer.
2) “Only 20 rakʿahs are valid Tarāweeh.”
No. 20 is permissible, but the Sunnah remains 8. Both are within the prophetic framework.
3) “Different numbers divide the ummah.”
This difference is valid diversity, not division.
Contemporary Reflections
Some mosques offer 8 rakʿahs to allow time for reflection. Others pray 20 rakʿahs to lengthen the night in worship. Both are valid. What matters is the Qur’an being recited, the humility in prayer, and the mercy sought in Ramadan.
Conclusion
Tarāweeh is a Sunnah prayer that the Prophet ﷺ most often prayed as 8 rakʿahs with witr. More can be prayed, as night prayer is open-ended. The real focus is devotion, not the count.
References
Primary Sources
Hadith
- Sahih al-Bukhari 1147: Aishah (RA) on 11 rakʿahs.
- Sahih Muslim 738: The Prophet’s ﷺ night prayer.
- Sahih Muslim 764: Ibn Abbas (RA) on 13 rakʿahs.
- Sahih al-Bukhari 990: “Night prayer is two by two.”
Secondary Sources
- Ibn Taymiyyah, Majmūʿ al-Fatāwā, on Tarāweeh and night prayer flexibility.
- Ibn Rajab, Lata’if al-Maʿarif, on the spirit of Ramadan worship.
- al-Nawawi, al-Majmūʿ, on the permissibility of more rakʿahs in qiyam.