NIGHT PRAYER DURING RAMADAN (AL-QIYAAM OR TARAWEEH), VIRTUES
AND BENEFITS
ASSEMBLED BY MALLAM ABBA ABANA, KUBWA, ABUJA, NIGERIA
http://variousislamicdawadocuments.blogspot.com
https://web.facebook.com/abba.abana
emails:gonidamgamiri@yahoo.com;
abba.abana@gmail.com
SUNDAY
6TH SHAABAN 1439 AH – 22ND APRIL 2018 CE
(Part
8 of 11: NIGHT PRAYER DURING RAMADAN (AL-QIYAAM OR TARAWEEH), VIRTUES AND
BENEFITS)
(NIGHT
PRAYER Part 8 of 11)
(Part
1 of 2)
Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala
Rasulillah. As-Salaam Alaikum Wa-Rahmatullahi Wa-Barakatuhu. Praise be to
Allaah; we seek His help and His forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allaah from
the evil of our own souls and from our bad deeds. Whomsoever Allaah guides will
never be led astray, and whomsoever Allaah leaves astray, no one can guide. I
bear witness that there is no god but Allaah, and I bear witness that Muhammad
(Sallalhu alaihi Wasalam) is His slave and Messenger.
PREAMBLE
Night Prayer During Ramadan (Al-Qiyaam Or Taraweeh)
1. Introduction
2. Taraweeh - Raka'ats in Taraweeh
3. The Timing Of Qiyaam
4. Question And Answer Session
5. Night Prayer during Ramadan (Al-Qiyaam or Taraweeh)5
6. Praying Qiyaam In Congregation6
7. The Reason Why The Prophet (Peace And Blessings Of Allaah
Be Upon Him) Did Not Continually Lead The People In Praying Qiyaam In
Congregation
8. Women Can Pray Qiyaam In Congregation
9. Number Of Rakahs Of Qiyaam
10. Reciting Quraan In Qiyaam
11. Following The Imaam Until He Finishes Taraaweeh
12. Laylat Al-Qadr and Its Timing
13. Which Is Better During The Day In Ramadaan Reading
Quraan Or Praying Voluntary Prayers?
14. Taraweeh In Jamaa`Ah
15. Adding Another Rakah To The Imaams Witr Because One
Wants To Pray Some More
16. Duaa al-Qunoot
17. What Should Be Said At The End Of Witr
18. Two Rakahs After Witr
Subdivided into parts 1 and 2
Chapter 1
NIGHT PRAYER
DURING RAMADAN (AL-QIYAAM OR TARAWEEH)
1.0
INTRODUCTION
Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala
Rasulillah. As-Salaam Alaikum Wa-Rahmatullahi Wa-Barakatuhu.
Praise be to Allaah, we praise Him and seek His help and
forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allaah from the evil of our own selves and
from our evil deeds. Whomsoever Allaah guides cannot be misled, and whomsoever
He leaves astray cannot be guided. I bear witness that there is no god except
Allaah alone, with no partner or associate, and I bear witness that Muhammad is
His slave and Messenger. Your audience is always Allaah Himself and no other
people. He can see straight into your heart and He knows your truth.
Narrated Abu-Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him):
"Allah's Messenger (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from
imperfection) said: "Whoever observes fasting during the month of Ramadan
out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah's Rewards, all his past sins
will be forgiven.'" (Bukhari)
Glorified
be Allaah, and Praised. Glorified be You, O Allaah, and Praised. I bear witness
that there is no true god except You. I seek forgiveness from You and repent to
You. O Allaah! send prayers on Muhammad, and on the family of Muhammad, and
send blessings on Muhammad, and on the family of Muhammad, as You sent prayers
on Ibraaheem and the family of Ibraaheem; You are indeed Worthy of Praise, Full
of Glory.
2.0 TARAWEEH -
THE NIGHT PRAYER IN RAMADAN[1]
2.1 Special prayers are said each evening of the Holy Month[2]
When the month of Ramadan begins, Muslims enter into a
period of discipline and worship: fasting during the day, and praying
throughout the day and night. During Ramadan, special evening prayers are
conducted during which long portions of the Qur'an are recited. These special
prayers are known as Taraweeh.
The word Taraweeh comes from an Arabic word which means to
rest and relax. The prayer can be very long (well over an hour), during which
one stands upright to read from the Qur'an and performs many In cycles of
movement (standing, bowing, prostrating, sitting). After each four cycles, one
sits for a brief period of rest before continuing -- this is where the name
Taraweeh ("rest prayer") comes from.
During the standing portions of the prayer, long sections of
the Qur'an are read. The Qur'an is divided into equal parts (called juz) for
the purpose of reading sections of equal length during each of the Ramadan
nights. Thus, 1/30 of the Qur'an is read on successive evenings, so that by the
end of the month the entire Qur'an has been completed.
It is recommended that Muslims attend the Taraweeh prayers
in the mosque (after 'isha, the last evening prayer), to pray in congregation.
This is true for both men and women. However, one may also perform the prayers
individually at home. These prayers are voluntary, but are strongly recommended
and widely practiced.
There has been some dispute about how long the Taraweeh
prayer is supposed to be: 8 or 20 raka'at (cycles of prayer)[3].
It is without dispute, however, that when praying the Taraweeh prayer in
congregation, one should start and end with the Imam, according to the number
that he performs. Night prayers in Ramadan are a blessing, and one should not
argue about this fine point.
The Ramadan nightly prayer has a special merit over other
nights. The Messenger of Allah said: "Whoever observes night prayer in
Ramadan as an expression of his faith and to seek reward from Allah, his
previous sins will be blotted out." (Muslim)
In this hadith, faith means faith in what Allah has promised
the observers of night prayers. To seek reward mean, the observer's intent is
not for eye service or seeking special recognition from someone. Taraweeh is
derived from the Arabic root word, raaha, which means to rest, relax and use as
recreation. It is so called because the believers used to prolong it. After
every four raka'ats they would stop for rest and relaxation and resume until
Taraweeh was complete.
2.2 HOW MANY
RAKA’AAT FOR THE TARAWEEH PRAYERS?
Here we gave various versions on how many Raka’aats is for
Taraweeh.
Number of Raka'ats in Taraweeh
As for the number of raka'ats in Taraweeh and Witr, the
worthy ancestor, Salaf as-Saalih disagreed on the number of Raka'ats. These
numbers are mentioned for raka'ats: 39, 29, 23, 19, 13, and 11 raka'ats. Of all
the numbers mentioned, none is sounder than 11 raka'ats. 'Aishah (raa) was
asked how was the prayer of the Prophet (Sallalahu Alaihi wa Salaam)? She
replied: "He did not pray in Ramadan or some other times more than eleven
(11) raka'ats." (Muslim/Bukhari)
However, there is nothing wrong with praying more than 11
raka'ats. Perhaps that is why different numbers are observed. The Prophet
himself was asked about night prayer and he said: "It may be done in two
raka'ats, and if anyone fears the appearance of morning, he should pray one
rak'ah as a Witr for what he has already prayed." (Bukhari/Muslim)
In their desire to pray more raka'ats, some people make
Taraweeh in extreme speed. That is wrong, especially when the speed leads to a
breach of certain rules of prayer. In that case, the prayer will not be valid.
Similarly, it is undesirable for an Imam to pray with such speed whereby the
followers will have difficulty observing the necessary deeds in Salaat.
2.3 NUMBER OF
RAKAHS OF QIYAAM
The number of rakahs is eleven, and it is preferable in our
opinion not to exceed this number, following the practice of the Messenger of
Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), because he never did more
than that in his life. Aaishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) was asked about
how he prayed in Ramadaan. She said, The Messenger of Allaah (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) never prayed more than eleven rakahs (of
qiyaam), whether during Ramadaan or any other time. He would pray four, and
dont ask me how beautiful or how long they were. Then he would pray four, and
dont ask me how beautiful or how long they were. Then he would pray three[4].
A person may do less than that, even if it is only one rakah of witr, because
of the evidence that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
did this and spoke about it.
With regard to him doing it: Aaishah (may Allaah be pleased
with her) was asked how many rakahs the Messenger of Allaah (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to pray in witr? She said, He used to
pray four and three, or six and three, or ten and three. He never used to pray
less than seven, or more than thirteen[5].
With regard to him speaking about it, he said: Witr is true,
so whoever wishes can pray five, and whoever wishes can pray three, and whoever
wishes can pray one.
2.4 SHEIKH
UTHAIMEEN’S STATEMENT ABOUT TARAWEEH[6]
We say that it’s not good for us neither to go overboard nor
to be too easy. Some people go so far as to say a specific number of units of
prayer are from the Sunnah. They say “it’s not permissible to increase on the
number that we find in the Sunnah”, and make a stern refutation on those who
increase on this. They say that this person is a disobedient sinner. Without a
doubt this is wrong! How is it possible that this person is a sinner and the
Prophet (Sallalahu Alaihi wa Salaam) was asked about the night prayer and said
it’s 2 by 2 (by) 2 by 2 and he (Sallalahu Alaihi wa Salaam) didn’t give a
specific number. What is known is that the one who asked him about the night
prayer did not know the number of units of prayer. We know this because the one
who does not know how to perform it, then it’s more likely that he does not
know how many units of prayer to pray. He was not one of those who served the
Prophet (Sallalahu Alaihi wa Salaam) so that we would be able to say what went
on in the Prophet (Sallalahu Alaihi wa Salaam)’s house. If the Prophet (Sallalahu
Alaihi wa Salaam) explained to him how to make the prayer and did not limit the
number of units of the prayer, then this shows us that the situation (leaves
room for discussion). So much so that if a person so desired, they could make
100 units of prayer and make one unit for Witr. The Prophet (Sallalahu Alaihi
wa Salaam) said: “Pray as you have seen me pray!” And this is not so general that
it covers this situation. For this reason it’s not obligatory for the people to
pray Witr as 5 units of prayer and another time 7 and another time 9. If we
took it to be that general, then this is what we would tell the people was
obligatory upon them. What was meant by “pray as you have seen me pray”, is how
to perform the prayer. As far as the number of unit(s) of prayer, then this was
not the intent behind the statement. We can not limit it except by way of some
proof that limits it.
In any event, the people should not be real stern against
the people in a situation which is not restricted. I have seen some of the
brothers that are stern in this issue say that the Imams who increase or (go
beyond) praying 11 units of prayer are innovators. They leave the Masjid and
lose out on the reward that the Prophet (Sallalahu Alaihi wa Salaam) talked
about in his statement when he (Sallalahu Alaihi wa Salaam) said: “Whoever
stands with the Imam until he leaves, it‘s written for him as though he prayed
all night.” It may be that they sit down after ten units of prayer and they
break up the ranks. It may be that they talk from time to time making a
distraction for those that are praying. All of these things are wrong. We don’t
doubt they want the good, and that they are (mujtahidoon) but not every
mujtahid is correct.
The other side of it is the opposite of these people. These
are the ones that make an extreme refutation upon those who stick to 11 units
of prayer. They say you are not holding up with the consensus of the scholars.
They bring as proof Allah’s statement: {And whoever contradicts and opposes the
Messenger (Muhammad SAW) after the right path has been shown clearly to him,
and follows other than the believers’ way. We shall keep him in the path he has
chosen, and burn him in Hell – what an evil destination.}(An-Nisa 4:115). They
say: “All of those who came before you used to pray 23 units of prayer.” Then
they become extreme in their refutation, and this also is wrong.
If we come to a land that they don’t pray except 23 units of
prayer, then it‘s not from wisdom that we go to them and pray 11 units of
prayer on the first night, but rather we pray 23 units, then we talk to them
about what the Sunnah comes with, about the fact that it’s better they pray 11 units
of prayer. Then it be said to them, what do you want to do? Should we stick to
only 11 units of prayer and concentrate in them and make the (rukoo’) and
(sujood) a little longer so that we can make more (supplication) and
(remembrance)? Or should we leave it the way it is now, as 23 units of prayer?
One of three things is going to happen. Either they will agree with you, or
disagree with you, or they will disagree amongst themselves. If the majority of
the people don’t agree with you then leave the situation the way it is. Because
there is room in this issue. As long as you are bringing the people together in
this situation, then it is good. But don’t give up. Ask them at another time.
If they refuse and are firm on sticking to 23 then use what you see from wisdom
to convince them. And if they refuse to make it 11 then pray the 23 with them.
But beware of what some of the Imams do in being very quick in making (rukoo’)
and (sajood), so much so, that a young person has a hard time following him, so
how is an older person or the sick able to follow them? Someone that I trust
told me that he entered the Masjid one night during Ramadaan and began to pray
with the Imam for Taraweeh. He was a young man and was not able to keep up with
the Imam. He said when he went to sleep that night he saw (in his sleep) as it
was as though he entered the Masjid and the people were dancing. What was meant
by this is that some of the Imams, and we ask Allah to guide us and them, play
with Taraweeh. They are stern about making 23 units of prayer, and the Sunnah
is 11 units of prayer. They don’t give that which is an obligation it‘s right
with the speed at which they pray. The Scholars (may Allah have mercy on them)
say that it’s disliked for the Imam to speed in the prayer so much so, that the
follower are unable to do that which is recommended in the prayer . And it’s
haram to pray with such speed that the follower can not do that which is
obligatory. He is the one that has the responsibility on his shoulders, and has
to take into consideration the situation of those who he is responsible for[7].
3.0 NEGLECTING
TARAWEEH
No one should neglect Taraweeh without a good reason, for it
is part of physical and spiritual training, for its observation soon after
Iftar insures timely and proper digestion of food. Besides, there are spiritual
rewards awaiting the observers of this prayer. No one would like to leave the
Masjid before the prayer is over. Everybody should attend the Masjid prayers,
including women, provided they are properly covered. The Messenger of Allah (Sallalahu
Alaihi wa Salaam) said: "Prevent not the women servants of Allah, from
going to the Masjid of Allah." However, when they attend the Masjid they
should wear no perfume, nor raise their voices, and or show their beauty. Allah
(SWT) states: "...they should not display their beauty and ornaments
except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof..." (Al-Qur'an, 24:31) What
ordinarily appears, refers to the outer garments, for when the Messenger (Sallalahu
Alaihi wa Salaam) commanded women to attend Eid prayer, Umm 'Atiyah (raa) said:
"O Messenger of Allah, some of us do not have the outer garment (jilbab).
The Messenger of Allah told her to let a sister (who has more than one) give
her one to wear." (Agreed upon) It is Sunnah that they pray behind the men
in the rear lines. The Messenger has been reported as saying: "The best
lines for men are the front lines and the worst lines for men are the rear
lines. The best lines for women is the rear and the worst lines of women are
the front line. (Muslim) The women should leave the Masjid as soon as the Imam
says: As-Salaamu 'Alaikum. They should not delay without a valid reason. In a
hadith by Umm Salmah, she said: "When the Messenger of Allah (Sallalahu
Alaihi wa Salaam) saluted to end prayer, the women would stand up to leave and
the Messenger would remain in his place for a while." Umm Salmah (raa)
said: Allah is the best knower, but perhaps the Messenger did that so women
would leave before men could overtake them". (Bukhari)
4.0 THE TIMING
OF QIYAAM
The time for praying qiyaam is from after Isha until Fajr,
because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: Allaah
has added one more prayer for you, which is witr, so pray it between Salaat
al-Isha and Salaat al-Fajr.
Praying at the end of the night is better, for those who can
manage it, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said: Whoever is afraid that he will not get up at the end of the night, let
him pray witr at the beginning of the night, but whoever feels that he will be
able to get up at the end of the night, let him pray witr at the end of the
night, for prayer at the end of the night is witnessed [by the angels], and
that is better. If it is the matter of choosing between praying in congregation
at the beginning of the night and praying alone at the end of the night, it is
preferable to pray with the jamaaah, because that is counted as if one had
prayed the whole night through.
This is what the Sahaabah did at the time of Umar (may
Allaah be pleased with him). Abd al-Rahmaan ibn Abd al-Qaari said: I went out
with Umar ibn al-Khattaab to the mosque one night during Ramadaan, and saw the
people scattered throughout the mosque, some praying individually, and some
praying in small groups. He said, By Allaah, I think that if I gathered all of
them behind one reader it would be better. So he resolved to do that, and he
gathered them behind Ubayy ibn Kab. Then I went with him on another night, and
the people were all praying behind their reader, and Umar said, What a good
innovation this is. What they sleep and miss meaning the latter part of the
night is better than what they are doing, the people used to pray qiyaam at the
beginning of the night.
Zayd ibn Wahb said: Abd-Allaah used to lead us in prayer in
Ramadaan, and he used to finish at night.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
forbade praying witr as three rakahs, and explained this by saying: Do not make
it resemble Salaat al-Maghrib. Therefore the person who wants to pray three
rakahs for witr must find a way to make it different (from Maghrib). There are
two ways he can do this: either by giving salaam after the first two rakahs,
which is the best way; or by not sitting after the first two rakahs (i.e.,
praying three rakahs non-stop). And Allaah knows best.
[3] Saudi Arabia television broadcasts the Taraweeh prayers live
from Mecca, Saudi Arabia, now with simultaneous subtitling of the English
translation.
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