Mention of Salaat Ut Taraweeh in Sahih Bukhari

Taraweeh has been mentioned in Sahih Bukhari in the following manner:   Translation: It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Aisha Siddiqua (May Allah be well pleased with her), she says:  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) was offering Salaat in His room at night and the wall of the room was of medium height.  The Sahabah saw the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and offered Salaat behind Him (taking Him as their Imam).  Morning came and the Sahabah mentioned this to the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).  The next night the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) was offering Salaat.  The Sahabah saw Him and started offering Salaat behind Him.  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) did this for 2 or 3 nights.  At last the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) remained in His room and did not come.  In the morning when the Sahabah mentioned this, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: I fear that this Salaat will be declared Fardh for you.  In another version of the same Hadith, the following words are given:   Translation: Then you will not be able to offer it.   (Sahih Bukhari, Vol 1, Hadith No: 729; Hadith No: 924; Hadith No: 1129; Hadith No: 2012)   This Hadith is mentioned in Sahih Bukhari at more than 3 places.  This Hadith has mention of offering of Salaat, but there is no mention of the number of Raka’at.  The interpreter of Sahih Bukhari, the author of Fath Ul Bari, Imam Ibn Hajr Asqalani (May Allah shower His mercy on him) has clarified in Al Talkhees that here, the number of Raka’at was 20.   (Al Talkhees, Tabe ul Kitab Us Salaat, Hadith No: 540)   Imam Ibn Hajr Makki Haitami (May Allah shower His mercy on him) has mentioned one Hadith about the number of the Raka’at of Taraweeh.   Translation: (It has) “20 Raka’at” every night of Ramadhan, with the intention of Qiyaame Ramadhan or Taraweeh, because there is a rigorously-authenticated (Sahih) Hadith that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) offered Taraweeh for 4 nights and the Sahabah followed Him (in prayer).  Then the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) did not come out of His room and offered it in His room for the rest of the month and said: I fear that this Salaat will be made Fardh (obligatory) for you, then you will not be able to offer it.   Allama Muhammad bin Muhammad Akmaluddin Babarti (May Allah shower His mercy on him) writes in detail about 20 Raka’at Taraweeh in ‘Inaya Sharh Hidayah:   Translation: It is narrated that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) came one night and offered 20 Raka’at.  Then when the next night came, the Sahabah gathered.  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) came and led the Sahabah in 20 Raka’at.  Then when the 3rd night came, the Sahabah gathered in large numbers, but the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) did not come.  He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: I know of your gathering (for Me), but I fear that this Salaat will be declared Fardh for you.  Then the Sahabah, until the time of Hadhrat Umar (May Allah be well pleased with him) offered this Salaat individually and separately.  Then Hadhrat Umar (May Allah be well pleased with him) said: I think it is better that I gather the people behind a single Imam.  Then he gathered the people with Hadhrat Ubai bin Ka’ab as the Imam and he led the people in 20 Raka’at with 5 breaks.   (Al ‘Inaya, Sharh Hidayah, Kitab Us Salaat, Fasl Fi Qiyami Shahri Ramadhan)

Dr. Mufti Syed Ziauddin Naqshbandi Mujaddidi Qadri

Shaykh Ul Fiqh, Jamia Nizamia; Founder - Director

Mufti Maulana Syed Zia Uddin Naqshbandi Quadri

Shaik-ul-Fiqh - Jamia Nizamia

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Mention of Salaat Ut Taraweeh in Sahih Bukhari