What Is the Most Correct Number of Rakahs in Tarawih Prayer?

Question:

How many rakahs are there in taraweeh Prayer? How much Quran should one recite while praying taraweeh? 

Answer: 

In the name of Allah, we praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright.

It is highly recommended that Muslims should attend the taraweeh prayer in congregation at mosques after `ishaa’ Prayer. It is also preferred for women to attend these prayer at mosque if they could. However, one may also offer the prayers individually at home. Offering taraweeh in congregation at the mosque enhances the feeling of unity among Muslims.

The proof for the importance of offering taraweeh in congregation is the following hadith:

`Abdu-Rahman ibn `Abdul-Qari said, “I went out in the company of `Umar ibn Al-Khattab one night in Ramadan to the mosque and found the people praying in different groups. A man praying alone or a man praying with a little group behind him. So, `Umar said, ‘In my opinion I would better collect these (people) under the leadership of one Qari (Reciter) (i.e. let them pray in congregation!)’. So, he made up his mind to congregate them behind Ubai ibn Ka`b. Then on another night I went again in his company and the people were praying behind their reciter. On that, `Umar remarked, ‘What an excellent bid`ah (i.e. innovation in religion) this is; but the prayer which they do not perform, but sleep at its time is better than the one they are offering.’ He meant the prayer in the last part of the night. (In those days) people used to pray in the early part of the night.” (Al-Bukhari)

Watch this short talk with Dr. Muhammad Salah who sheds some light on some rulings of the taraweeh prayer. 

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Source: Huda Youtube Channel.