10-30-2003, 08:55 AM
as salam alykom Jennifer
U r right it was Omar Ibn El Khatab who started making taraweeh in congregation. I mean the Messenger of Allah Sallah Allah a`alyhee wasallam prayed it individually. Until the time of Omar people did so, then one day Omar came to the masjed and saw them praying individually and decided to gather them. He said well this is a good bida`a.
Akhi Dan I truly go for the opinion of not calling anything bida`a because it could lead to hell fire. A bida`a must be something like let us pray fajr 4 raka`a instead of 2, or let us continue praying after fajr until sunrise while of course praying is not permitted at that time. a bida`a is what u add to the religion making it part of it. I am not a scholar of course and usually prefer not to aruge just telling my opinion.