Taraweeh in the era of Hadhrat 'Umar and 'Uthman

There is a Hadith in Jame’ Ul Ahadith Wal Maraseel and Kanzul Ummal:

Translation: Hadhrat Ubai bin Ka‘ab (May Allah be well pleased with him) narrates that Hadhrat Umar commanded him to lead the Salaat Ut Taraweeh in Ramadhan saying that people fast in the day, because of which they cannot recite the Holy Quran in a better manner.  It would be better if you recite the Holy Quran in Taraweeh.

He requested: O Commander of the faithful, this is a deed which has not been performed in congregation until now.  He (i.e. Hadhrat Umar) said: Yes, I know that, but this is better.
 

Thus, Hadhrat Ubai bin Ka’ab (May Allah be well pleased with him) led the 20 Raka’at of Taraweeh.  (Kanzul Ummal, Hadith No: 23471)

 

Hadhrat Ubai’s (May Allah be well pleased with him) saying, “This is a deed, which has not been done in congregation until now” means that Taraweeh with congregation for the whole month had not been performed although before this Taraweeh was offered in congregation off and on, as previously mentioned in the Hadith that for 3 or 4 nights, the Sahabah offered Taraweeh in the lead of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), then later a group of Sahabah sometimes offered Taraweeh in the lead of Hadhrat Ubai Bin Ka‘ab and the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) saw it and appreciated it.

20 Raka’at of Taraweeh in the era of Hadhrat Uthman (May Allah be well pleased with him)

Translation: It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Saib bin Yazid (May Allah be well pleased with him) that in the era of Hadhrat ‘Umar (May Allah be well pleased with him) people used to offer 20 Raka’at of Taraweeh and recite those Surah, which have 100 verses and in the era of Hadhrat ‘Uthman bin ‘Affan (May Allah be well pleased with him), they would support themselves with a staff because of the long Raka’at.

 

(Sunan Kubra Lil Baihaqui, Hadith No: 4801; Umdatul Qari Sharh Sahih Bukhari, Kitab Ul Adhaan; Mirqatul Mafateeh Sharh Mishkatul Masabeeh, Kitab Us Salaat, Bab Qiyami Shahri Ramadhan)

 

Imam Nawawi (May Allah be well pleased with him) has mentioned this Hadith as rigorously-authenticated (Sahih) in his book "Khulasatul Ahkam"

Translation: Imam Baihaqui has narrated this Hadith using a rigorously-authenticated (Sahih) chain of narration.

Mulla Ali Qari (May Allah shower His mercy on him) has also mentioned this judgment of Imam Nawawi (May Allah shower His mercy on him) in "Mirqatul Mifateeh", Kitab Us Salaat, Bab Qiyami Shahri Ramadhan."

 

(Mirqatul Mafateeh, Kitab Us Salaat, Bab Qiyami shahri Ramadhan)