Numbers of Rak’ahs in Taraweeh Prayer

Question

Number of Rak‘ahs in Taraweeh Prayer?

Bottom Line

Both 11 and 20 rak‘ahs are valid, and neither group should be condemned.

Quick Answer

Taraweeh has no fixed number. The Prophet ﷺ prayed 11 rak‘ahs, but the early generations expanded to 20 (and even 36 in Madinah) to make recitation easier for the congregation. Whoever prays 11 is following the Sunnah; whoever prays 20 is following the practice of the Companions and the four madhhabs. The disagreement should not cause division among Muslims.

Key Points

• The Prophet ﷺ consistently prayed 11 rak‘ahs at night (Bukhari 1909; Muslim 738).
• He made the rak‘ahs long, sometimes lasting until dawn.

Detailed Answer

The Companions and scholars expanded to 20 rak‘ahs with shorter recitation for ease. Hanafi, Shafi‘i, and Hanbali schools: 20 rak‘ahs; Maliki school: 36 rak‘ahs. Both 11 and 20 rak‘ahs are acceptable; the difference is in length vs. number. Unity is more important than disputing over numbers.

1. Scholarly Differences and Unity

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymin warned that acceptable scholarly differences should not cause fitnah. The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Whoever stands with the imam until he finishes, the reward of qiyam al-layl will be recorded for him.” (Tirmidhi 806, sahih by al-Albani)

Leaving the congregation or accusing others of bid‘ah is wrong.

2. Evidence for 11 Rak‘ahs

‘Aishah (رضي الله عنها) said:

“The Prophet ﷺ never prayed more than eleven rak‘ahs in Ramadan or otherwise. He prayed four, and do not ask how beautiful and long they were…” (Bukhari 1909; Muslim 738)

This shows what he personally did, but does not limit the number for the ummah.

3. No Fixed Number for Night Prayers

Ibn ‘Umar reported:

“Prayers at night are two by two. If one fears dawn, then let him pray one rak‘ah as Witr.” (Bukhari 846; Muslim 749)

The hadith leaves the number open.

4. Opinions of the Four Madhhabs

– Hanafi, Shafi‘i, Hanbali: 20 rak‘ahs.
– Maliki: 36 rak‘ahs.
– All agreed that Taraweeh is Sunnah mu’akkadah, but differed in number.

5. Reason for More Rak‘ahs

The Prophet ﷺ’s 11 rak‘ahs were very long. To make it easier, the Companions shortened the recitation but added more rak‘ahs. Both fulfill the Sunnah of qiyam.

Praying 11 rak‘ahs is following the Prophet ﷺ’s practice. Praying 20 is following the Companions and the consensus of madhhabs. Both are valid, and the difference should not divide the community.

What This Means for You

If your masjid prays at 11, join them. If they pray 20, join them. Both are correct, and staying with the imam until the end brings the full reward of qiyam al-layl.

And Allah knows best.

References

Primary Sources

Hadith

1. Sahih al-Bukhari 1909: ʿAishah reports the Prophet ﷺ never prayed more than 11 rak‘ahs.
2. Sahih Muslim 738: Confirms the Prophet ﷺ’s night prayers were 11 rak‘ahs with long recitation.
3. Sahih al-Bukhari 846; Sahih Muslim 749: “Night prayer is two by two,” showing flexibility in numbers.
4. Sunan al-Tirmidhi 806: Praying with the imam until he finishes counts as the whole night in reward.

Secondary Sources

5. Ibn ‘Uthaymin, al-Sharh al-Mumti‘, 4/73–75, 225: Emphasizes unity and flexibility in the number of rak‘ahs.
6. Ibn Qudamah, al-Mughni, 1/457: Notes the practice of 20 rak‘ahs established by the Companions.
7. Al-Nawawi, al-Majmu‘, 4/31–32: Explains scholarly consensus on validity of both 11 and 20 rak‘ahs.
8. Al-Sarkhasi, al-Mabsut, 2/145: Describes the Hanafi position of 20 rak‘ahs as Sunnah mu’akkadah.
9. Ibn Taymiyyah, al-Ikhtiyarat, p. 64: States the Prophet’s 11 was his practice but more rak‘ahs are valid.
10. Al-Suyuti, al-Mawsu‘ah al-Fiqhiyyah, 27/142–145: Documents the Maliki practice of 36 rak‘ahs in Madinah.