Al-Gambari Daud
UNDERSTAND YOUR TARAWIH
(AASAMUN)
At-Tarawih is the night emphatic Sunnah prayer prescribed by the Prophet (SAW) for the
Muslims, to be observed all the night of the month of Ramadan.
Over the years, there had been noticeable variations in the manners of its observation among
the Muslims of different localities and schools of thoughts. The instance is seen in the
seemingly unreconcilable disparities between the kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Nigeria
Muslims. The former do observe 20 rakahs while the general practice among the latter is 10
rakahs. This will ordinarily call for concern among, even the non-Muslims who are conversant
of Islamic activities.
This write up therefore tends to address the variations and the best way to go for the
Muslims. It will as well educate and depict the simplicity of Islam to the teaming non-Muslim
audience and spectators.
Islamically, Tarawih may be observed in 8, 10, 20 or 36 rakahs. These variations are
embedded in both the authentic Hadith and other secondary sources of Islamic legislation.
Upfront, two Ahadith(p) are reported by Aisha to establish the first two options. It was
established that after 8 rounds of rakah, the prophet will quit the mosque directing the
companions to complete their Tarawih at home, before he finally discontinued its
congregational observation.
Umar, the 2nd Khalifah, was the one who fixed the number at 20 and reactivated its collective
observation, hitherto stopped by the Prophet. While, the 2nd Umar- Umar bin A.Aziz
increased the number to 36, he argued that, since they were not living in Makkah where they
could observe Tawaf (circumambulation of Ka'abah) as being practiced by the Makkans after
each 4 rakahs of 20. Each of the 4 Tawaf therefore should be replaced with 4 rakah totalling
36 rakah all together. (20 +16=36)
These undoubtedly show the beauty of Islamic legislation as one is at liberty to choose from
various options but depending largely on the prevailing circumstances, love of ibadah and
thirsty for reward.
This calls for no arguenments as being noticed among some Muslims. It is an emphatic
sunnah which if congregationally observe and the number of one's choice of rounds is either
plus or minus, one can easily terminate or complete it respctively at one's end.
Further still, since these variations are the practices of the Salaf, efforts should be made by
Muslims both individual and collectivelly to ensure that none of these numbers goes into
dustbin of history. In other words, each of them should be observed once in a while.
Also, Tarawih affords you the rare opportunity to get acquainted with the Glorious Quran, so
endeavor to recite long verses to maximize the rewards.
(Summary of submissions of Fiqh ala Madhaib al- Arba' and Fiqh al-Islami wa Adillatuhu)
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