Taraweeh Rakats !link! Jun 2026
Confused about how many rakats to pray in Taraweeh? You aren't alone! Here is the quick breakdown:
To understand the debate, one must first revisit the practice of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Authentic narrations in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim confirm that the Prophet led his companions in night prayers (Qiyam al-Layl) during Ramadan for three nights, deliberately not continuing on the fourth night for fear that these prayers might become obligatory upon his community. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), when asked about the Prophet’s night prayer, famously replied, “He would pray eleven rakats” (Sahih al-Bukhari). This narration is the cornerstone for those who advocate for 8 or 11 rakats (8 Taraweeh + 3 Witr). For this group, the Prophet’s personal, consistent practice represents the sunnah in its purest, most unadulterated form, and they argue that adding more rakats constitutes an unwarranted innovation (bid'ah).
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During the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab , he observed people praying individually or in small groups and organized them under a single Imam to foster unity. The Debate: 8 vs. 20 Rakats taraweeh rakats
The number of rakats in Taraweeh is one of the most discussed topics during Ramadan. Because it is a voluntary (Sunnah/Nafl) prayer, there is considerable flexibility. The Excellence of Tarawih Prayer and Its Spiritual Benefits
The number of rakats (cycles) in , the voluntary night prayer performed during Ramadan, is a subject of historical depth and scholarly discussion in Islamic tradition. While there is no single "mandatory" number fixed by divine law, the practice typically ranges between 8 and 20 rakats , often followed by the Witr prayer. Historical Foundations
) prayer, it is a highly emphasized Sunnah that carries immense spiritual reward, with the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stating that whoever stands in prayer during Ramadan with faith and seeking reward will have their past sins forgiven. The Number of Rakats: A Diverse Tradition One of the most discussed aspects of Taraweeh is the total number of rakats. Historically and across different schools of thought, various practices have emerged: 8 Rakats: This is widely based on a narration from Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), who noted that the Prophet (pbuh) did not exceed eleven rakats (8 Taraweeh + 3 Witr) in Ramadan or any other month. 20 Rakats: This became the established practice during the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab (ra) to accommodate larger congregations and ensure the community could listen to the entire Quran. It is the standard followed in the Two Holy Mosques in Mecca and Medina and by many Hanafi, Shafi’i, and Hanbali scholars. Other Variations: Some traditions, particularly within the Maliki school, historically practiced 36 rakats to match the spiritual "output" of those in Mecca who performed Confused about how many rakats to pray in Taraweeh
: Authentic narrations from Aisha (RA) indicate that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) did not exceed 11 rakats (8 for Taraweeh and 3 for Witr) in Ramadan or any other month. He initially led the congregation for a few nights but eventually prayed at home to prevent the prayer from becoming an obligatory burden on the community.
However, the narrative of Taraweeh did not conclude with the Prophet’s lifetime. The pivotal moment occurred during the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him). Seeing people praying in scattered, small groups, Umar perceived a need for communal unity. He gathered the believers behind a single imam, Ubayy ibn Ka’b, to perform the prayer in congregation. It is recorded that under Umar’s directive, they prayed . This action is described by early historians and scholars as a “beautiful innovation” (bid'ah hasanah) in the technical, linguistic sense—meaning a practice not established as a congregational sunnah by the Prophet, but one that serves a higher maslahah (public interest) without contradicting any core principle. The great hadith scholar Imam al-Bayhaqi and others have noted that the companions during Umar’s time did not object to this number, implying a consensus (ijma') of the Sahaba on the permissibility of 20 rakats.
The holy month of Ramadan is a time of intense spiritual devotion for Muslims worldwide. Central to this nightly worship is the special prayer known as Taraweeh, performed only during this blessed month. Yet, beneath the serene atmosphere of mosques filled with voices reciting the Quran lies a long-standing and often passionately debated question: How many rakats (units of prayer) constitute the authentic Taraweeh? Is it 8, 11, or 20? This essay explores the historical origins, the key scriptural evidences, the reasoning behind the dominant positions, and the underlying principle that has allowed for this diversity within the unity of Islamic practice. Authentic narrations in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim
🔹 It is confirmed that Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) prayed 8 rakats followed by Witr. This is the most rewarding way to follow his example.
The BEST Taraweeh is the one you actually do!