Fatwa ID: 02737

Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Imad Ali

Question:

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah!

Is taraweeh prayer Sunnah or Fardh?

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Answer:

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakaatuh,

Once, in the month of Ramadhan, the Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him) came out of his home and led Taraweeh Salah.  The Sahaba (may Allah be pleased with them) who were present at the time, prayed behind him in congregation.  The second and third nights, a larger number of Sahaba came and performed the Taraweeh Salah behind the Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him).

On the fourth night, an even larger number of Sahaba turned up at the Masjid expecting to pray this new Salah behind the Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him) but he did not come out to lead Salatul Taraweeh that night.  The Sahaba waited all night.  When the Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him) finally emerged for Fajr prayer he told them “I knew you were waiting for me but I did not come to lead the Taraweeh Salah last night because I was afraid it might become fardh on the Ummah which they may find difficult to fulfil.”  (Sahih Bukhari p.269 v.1)

From the above-mentioned Hadith, we can derive that the Taraweeh prayer is Sunnah Muakkadah and not fardh.

Only Allah knows best

Written by Moulana Muhammad Imad Ali

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham