Can Tarawih be performed in four rakaat units?

In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.

Answer

There are two possible rulings to this scenario: 

1. If the Imam had sat down after the second rakaat for tashahud and then he stands up for the third rakaat and completes the Salah after the tashahud of the fourth rakaat then the tarawih salah will be correct. There is no need for him to repeat the Salah or do Sajda Sahwe. (Fatawa Darul Uloom Deoband p.277 v.4)

However to do this intentionally or to make it into a habit will be considered disliked as the Sunnah of the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam was to read the Tarawih Salah in pairs. (Fatawa Darul Uloom Deoband p.267 v.4) 

2. If the Imam did not sit down for the tashahud but instead stands up for the third rakaatt. In this situation if the imam before he does sajdah of the third rakat sits back down again whether through his own accord or through the “luqmah” of the followers, then he should do sajdah sahwe and finish the Salah. The tarawih will be considered correct. If the Imam does sajdah of the third rakaat then only the second unit (3^rd and 4^th rakaat) will be correct and the first unit (1^st and 2^nd rakaat) incorrect because of the first tashahud being omitted. One will have to repeat the recitation of the Holy Qur’an, which was done in the first and second rakaats. (Hashiyah Imadul Fatawa -Mufti Saeed Ahmad Palanpuri (DB) p.447 v.1)

Only Allah Knows Best

Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham