Permissibility of the Taraaweeh Prayer - II

12/08/2010| IslamWeb

In a Hadeeth (narration) on the authority of Zayd ibn Thaabit, may Allah be pleased with him, he said,

 

The Messenger of Allah made a small room (with a palm leaf mat). The Messenger of Allah came out (of his house) and prayed in it. Some men came and joined him in his prayer. Another night they came for the prayer, but the Messenger of Allah  did not come out to them. So they raised their voices and knocked the door with small stones (to draw his attention). He came out to them in a state of anger, saying:‘You are still insisting (on your deed, i.e. Taraaweeh [voluntary night prayers in Ramadan] prayer at the mosque) that I thought that this prayer (Taraaweeh) would become obligatory for you. So, offer this prayer at your homes, for one’s best prayer is the one which he offers at home, except the obligatory (congregational) prayer.’ [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Another narration reads: “I was afraid that this (Taraaweeh prayer) might become obligatory for you, and if it had become obligatory for you, you would not fulfil the obligation.”[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

 

Benefits and rulings:

First: The asceticism of the Prophet, in this worldly life because he had the simplest furniture.

Second: The devoted worship of the Prophet, , to his Lord in spite of the fact that all his past and future sins are forgiven.

Third: Keenness of the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, on doing goodness and following the example of the Prophet, .

Fourth: The virtue of the voluntary prayer at night in general and in Ramadan in particular.

Fifth: The permissibility of performing voluntary prayers at mosques.

Sixth: Praying the Taraaweeh in Ramadan is an act of Sunnah (tradition) that the Prophet, did and then left, lest it should become obligatory for the Ummah (Muslim nation). Later, this Sunnah was revived by ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him.

Seventh: When the leader or the ruler does something contradicting his habit with his followers, he should clarify the matter for them and the wisdom behind it as the Prophet, did.

Eighth: Kindness and mercy of the Prophet, , towards his Ummah and his alleviation of hardships from them, May Allah reward him the best reward. Rulers and eminent scholars and people who are followed by others should follow the example of the Prophet, in this regard.

Ninth: It is permissible to miss some benefits to avoid some harms and to give priority to the most important benefit.

Tenth: There should neither be Athaan (call for prayer) nor Iqaamah (second call for prayer) for performing the voluntary prayers such as the Taraaweeh.

Eleventh: Performing the voluntary prayer at home is better than in the mosque unless it is an act of Sunnah to pray it in congregation, like the Istisqaa’ (prayer for rain) and Taraaweeh prayers.

Permissibility of Praying Taraaweeh - I