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Tarawih Prayer: A Prophetic Sunnah or an Innovation? - Al-Shia The Scientific and Cultural Website of Shia belief Tarawih Prayer: A Prophetic Sunnah or an Innovation? 2025-03-04 708 Views Supererogatory prayers Introduction The Tarawih prayer is a special form of supererogatory prayer performed in the congregation immediately or some minutes after the obligatory Isha prayer during the holy month of Ramadan .

However, scholarly discussions have emerged regarding whether Tarawih is a firmly established Prophetic Sunnah or an innovation (bid‘ah). While it is widely accepted that the (peace be upon him and his family) performed Tarawih, historical accounts indicate that he did not continue leading it publicly due to concerns that it might become obligatory. Later, during the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab, the practice of praying Tarawih in the congregation was reintroduced and institutionalized.

This research examines the origins, authenticity, and historical development of the Tarawih prayer to determine whether it is a Prophetic Sunnah or an innovation in Islamic practice. Contents Introduction Genesis of Tarawih The Sunni’s Understanding of the Hadith A Misunderstood and Misinterpreted Practice References: Genesis of Tarawih Naturally, the Holy Prophet (PBUHH) used to observe Qiyām al-Layl (late-night prayer) after being made obligatory for him by his Lord [1] .

While this special prayer was only enjoined and made obligatory upon the Prophet, it is optional for his Ummah (followers, community). This was the reason why the Prophet used to pray alone in the middle of the night. During the holy month of Ramadan, the Prophet continued this routine act of praying the obligatory Qiyām al-Layl. Alas, an incident occurred whereby a certain number of his companions found him praying and stood behind him to pray.

Imam Bukhari shed light on this in his document: Narrated ‘Urwa: “That he was informed by `Aisha, “Allah’s Messenger (s) went out in the middle of the night and prayed in the mosque and some men prayed behind him. In the morning, the people spoke about it and then a large number of them gathered and prayed behind him (on the second night). In the next morning, the people again talked about it, and on the third night, the mosque was full with a large number of people.

Allah’s Messenger (s) came out and the people prayed behind him.