The existence of the Salah-ut-Taraweeh in Islam

Q. Some people say that Salah-ut-Taraweeh does not exist in Islam. Moreover, those who performed only eight Rak‘ats of Taraweeh have found a convenient excuse to completely abandon this Salah. What do you think?

A. It is a satanic ploy to deny the existence of Salah-ut-Taraweeh, for by making such a claim, one effectively accuses Muslims of every era—including the Sahabah-e-Kiraam (Radiyallahu ‘anhum), the Taabi‘in (Rahimahumullah), the Aimmah (Rahimahumullah), the Mufassireen (Rahimahumullah), and the Muhadditheen (Rahimahumullah)—of having practised something that does not exist in Islam.

In a Hadith, Nabi-e-Kareem (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam) said:

"Whoever introduces something into the Deen which does not belong to it, it is rejected."

In another Hadith, it is stated that Bid‘ah is misguidance. According to such people, then, the Sahabah-e-Kiraam, the Taabi‘in, and Muslims of all eras committed Bid‘ah—implying that they all went astray.

Such a flawed and deviant claim also ignores the fact that Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam) guaranteed that the Ummah would never unite upon misguidance. Indeed, in a Hadith, Nabi-e-Kareem (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam) said:

"Allah Ta‘ala will not allow my Ummah to unite upon misguidance."

It is therefore clear that Salah-ut-Taraweeh is an authentic Islamic practice, as it has been consistently upheld by the entire Ummah up to the present day.

To deny the existence of this practice is to oppose Ijma‘ (consensus), which in itself is a form of misguidance and thus excludes one from Ahl-us-Sunnah wal Jama‘ah.

It is important to understand that the Hadith referring to Qiyam-e-Ramadhan does not negate the existence of Salah-ut-Taraweeh. In fact, Qiyam-e-Ramadhan is Salah-ut-Taraweeh. It is noteworthy that Imam Bukhari (Rahimahullah) recorded Ahaadith related to Qiyam-e-Ramadhan under the chapter titled SALAT-UT-TARAWEEH, demonstrating that both terms refer to the same Salah.

Let us also reflect upon the deceitful tactics of Shaitan. Initially, he convinces some people that Salah-ut-Taraweeh comprises only eight Rak‘ats instead of twenty. Falling into this trap, and despite being presented with sound arguments, these individuals fail to understand. Shaitan then advances further, embedding the idea in their minds that Salat-ut-Taraweeh does not even exist. Blinded by nafsaaniyat (desires), they lose the ability to distinguish truth from falsehood.

May Allah protect us from these satanic deceptions and guide us to the Straight Path. Ameen.

[English version of "L'existence de la Salaah-out Taraawîh en Islâm" – Al Haadi – Vol. 2 No. 3]