711. Is Taraaweeh Bid’ah?

By Asma bint Shameem

In order to answer this question, let us first understand what ‘bid’ah’ is.

A bid’ah is an act of ibaadah that is something NEW in the DEEN and is not based on any authentic practice or teachings of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam.

When we look at the authentic practice or teachings of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam, we find that the Taraaweeh prayer is actually a CONFIRMED SUNNAH of the Prophet Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam and the established practice of his Sahaabah.

The Prophet sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam HIMSELF prayed it and led the people as did the Sahaabah, Tabi'een and the great Ulama of the following generations, following his example.

*Proof:*

Aa'ishah Radhi Allaahu anha said that the Messenger of Allaah (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) prayed one night in the masjid, and the people followed him in prayer.Then he prayed the next night, and many people came. Then they gathered on the third or fourth night, and the Messenger of Allaah (sal Allaahu alaiyhi wasallam) did not come out to them.The next morning he (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "I saw what you did, and nothing kept me from coming out to you except the fact that I feared that it would be made obligatory for you." And that was in Ramadaan."

(al-Bukhaari and Muslim)

This PROVES that praying Taraweeh in congregation was already an ESTABLISHED PRACTICE of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam and is prescribed according to his Sunnah.

However, he sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam REFRAINED from reading Taraaweeh continuously because he FEARED that it might become fardh on me and you.

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Thus when the Prophet sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam passed away, Umar Radhi Allaahu anhu REVIVED this already established Sunnah since there was no more fear of the Taraaweeh being made obligatory.

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam had passed away and the Sharee'ah was complete.

So there’s no basis for claiming that the Taraaweeh is bid’ah.

On the contrary, Taraaweeh is a beautiful act of ibaadah most beloved to the Sahaabah and the righteous before us.

When Ali Radhi Allaahu anhu passed by the masaajid in which there were lamps during the month of Ramadhaan, he would say:

'May Allaah illuminate Umar's grave for him as he illuminated our mosques for us."

(al-Mughni).

May Allaah guide us and enable us to establish the Sunnah of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam in our lives. Ameen.

And Allaah knows best