The Hadith of 8 raka?at is about Tahajjud

Saying on the basis of this Hadith that Taraweeh is only of 8 raka’at is a grave mistake, which is very much against the science of Hadith, the narration of Hadith and the understanding of Hadith.

 

When looked closely, it becomes obvious that this Hadith is not at all about Taraweeh, but about Tahajjud as Hadhrat Aisha (May Allah be well pleased with her) is talking about 8 raka’at in Ramadhan and out of it.  Every sane person realizes that Taraweeh is offered only in Ramadhan and not out of it; otherwise, we should also say that Taraweeh is offered for the whole year.  Even those who insist that Taraweeh do not offer it throughout the year!  We can act upon this Hadith only when the 8 raka’at mentioned here are accepted in Tahajjud.  That these 8 raka’at mean Tahajjud is also supported by this Hadith of Hadhrat Aisha (May Allah be well pleased with her), which comes in Sahih Bukhari:

 

Translation: It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Aisha (May Allah be well pleased with her) that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) would offer 11 raka’at, then when the day dawned, He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) would offer 2 light raka’at.  Then, He would rest on His right side to the point that the Muezzin would come and request Him.

 

(Sahih Bukhari, Vol 2, Kitab Ud Da’awat, Hadith No: 6310)

 

Also, the (coming) Hadith of Hadhrat Abdullah Bin Abbas (May Allah be well pleased with them) clearly shows that the Hadith of 8 raka’at is about Tahajjud.  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) would rest and offer 11 raka’at, then Hadhrat Bilal (May Allah be well pleased with him) would come and call out the Adhaan, as given in Sahih Bukhari:

 

Translation: It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abdullah bin Abbas (May Allah be well pleased with them), he says that I stayed at the house of my aunt Ummul Momineen Hadhrat Maimoona (May Allah be well pleased with her).  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) talked to His wife for some time, then rested and when the last third part of the night came, He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) sat up and looked towards the sky and recited this verse of the Holy Quran:

 

Then the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) awoke, would perform Wuzu and use Miswak and offered 11 raka’at.  Then when Hadhrat Bilal (May Allah be well pleased with him) called out the Adhaan, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) offered 2 raka’at and came out and offered the Salaat of Fajr.

 

(Sahih Bukhari, Vol 2, Kitab Ut Tafseer, Pg No: 657, Hadith No: 4569)