QUESTION:
As Salaamu Alaikum,
I live in an area where the masjids that part 20 rakat taraweeh pray really fast and I do not fee comfortable and there is a masjid that prays 8 rakat but the recitation is slow and soothing and even finished after the 20 rakat masjids. The brothers at the 8 rakat masjid say that the prophet peace be upon him is reported to have said that the night prayer is in units of 2 and didn’t specify an amount. What should I do?
ANSWER:
Wa Alaikum As Salaam,
There is Ijma (consensus of the Sahabahs) that Taraweeh consists of 20 rakaats Salaah to be read in twos. Alhamdulillah, during the passage of 1400 years, this has become well established throughout Masaajid in the world and especially in the two most sacred mosques, the Haram in Makkah and the Prophet’s mosque in Madina.
As such, you should go to a masjid that prays 20 rakaats as Taraweeh Salah. If the masjid in the area performs the Taraweeh in a way that you are not comfortable with, then go to another masjid which will be comfortable for you.
And Allah Knows best
Mufti Waseem Khan
16/05/2018