Is it necessary to pray 20 Rak‘ahs of Taraweeh?

Question:

Is it necessary to pray twenty rak‘ahs of Taraweeh?

If someone feels tired or busy can they pray fewer rak‘ahs according to their ease?

Also what is the proof for twenty rak‘ahs and what is their status voluntary Sunnah or obligatory?

Answer:

Praying twenty rak‘ahs of Taraweeh is a Sunnah Mu’akkadah (a strongly emphasized Sunnah).

This was the regular practice of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

The Prophet ﷺ led the Taraweeh prayer in congregation for two or three nights.

However on the third or fourth night he did not come out to lead the prayer.

The companions waited outside his room thinking he might have fallen asleep.

When he came out he explained that he did not lead them because he feared that Taraweeh might become obligatory upon the Ummah and then people might not be able to perform it.

He advised them to pray in their homes. (Reported in authentic Hadith collections)

It is also mentioned in narrations that during Ramadan the Prophet ﷺ prayed twenty rak‘ahs of Taraweeh along with Witr.

This report is recorded by Imam Bayhaqi from Ibn Abbas (RA).

Furthermore when the scholars and the entire Ummah accept and consistently act upon a narration it becomes very strong in authenticity.

The companions their students the great scholars and the jurists all practiced praying twenty rak‘ahs.

During the caliphate of Hazrat Umar (RA) he organized the Taraweeh prayer in congregation at the mosque with twenty rak‘ahs and none of the companions objected.

Their agreement shows a consensus (Ijma‘) which confirms that twenty rak‘ahs was the established practice.

Therefore praying twenty rak‘ahs of Taraweeh is Sunnah Mu’akkadah not obligatory but highly recommended and should not be left without reason.

Since Taraweeh comes only once a year in Ramadan one should try to complete all twenty rak‘ahs.

Making a habit of praying fewer rak‘ahs due to tiredness or busyness is not appropriate.

However if someone cannot pray all twenty at once they may pray them in parts until suhoor (pre dawn).

If a person misses some or all rak‘ahs due to a valid excuse such as illness or travel there is no sin.