Praying at Night in Ramadhan

[Dan]

Bismillah


As Salam alaikum


Is taraweeh better or tahajud? I was under the impression that tahajud is but I have no evidence for this except a hadith that I heard about, which I have yet to see.


Appreciate the help.


As Salam alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu

[Muslimah]

Bismillah


as salam alykom


Listen I m making this reply from the top of my mind


Difference between both is: Taraweeh which is originally called Qiyam is that it is performed after Esha during Ramadan.


While as for Tahajud, is supposed to be performed whenever u can, I mean not associated with Ramadan. It is supposed to start after midnight.


This of course has a special position in the eyes of Allah, since at that time not many people are awake talking secretly with Allah. It lends speciality to one who is keen to perform it.


The reason we are more inclined of doing them both, is the fact that during Ramadan nawafel (extra deeds) are highly recommended and rewarded a reward equal to being Fard.


Did i explain well at 10.30 pm on a break from my work? [img]style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif[/img]

[Muslimah]

Bismillah


as salam alykom


I have more to say on this Insh aAllah later on

[Muslimah]

Bismillah


Ok here I m, Dan see originally the word taraweeh is not used in Quran but rather the term Qiyam which is to stand up. In essence, the term is Qiyamu layal. It means to stand up during night for prayer.


where did we get this from? ok here is the ayah:


"Stand (to pray) all night, except a little" (Quran 73:2)


The Messenger salla Allah a`lyhee wa sallam performed the 20 Raka`a after Esha using different locations. I mean he varied between home and Masjed. But always individually. Note if he did perform it always at the Masjed in congregation, it would have been obligatory. But Allah The Merciful allowed us a chance to benefit of the reward using different manners.


But of course he performed them at the Masjed for people also to learn about it.


Why later on people started calling them taraweeh? because the word Taraweek is derived from Raha which is rest or break. People used to break every two sets, I mean every 4 raka`as.


As for the Tahajud:


"And in some parts of the night (also) offer the prayer with it (i.e. recite the Qur'an in the prayer), as an additional (night) prayer for you (O Muhammad). It may be that your Lord will raise you to a station of praise and glory (in Paradise!)." (Quran 17:79)


As u can see Allah Promised the Messenger salla Allah a`lyhee wa sallam a special high rank in jannah thru this type of prayer. But also note that it was in particular ordained for him. Therefore, copying him in this honorable act Insh a Allah raises us in ranks.

[Dan]

Bismillah


As Salam alaikum


Volume 3, Book 32, Number 230:


Narrated Abu Salama bin 'Abdur Rahman:


that he asked 'Aisha "How was the prayer of Allah's Apostle in Ramadan?" She replied, "He did not pray more than eleven Rakat in Ramadan or in any other month. He used to pray four Rakat ---- let alone their beauty and length----and then he would pray four ----let alone their beauty and length ----and then he would pray three Rakat (Witr)." She added, "I asked, 'O Allah's Apostle! Do you sleep before praying the Witr?' He replied, 'O 'Aisha! My eyes sleep but my heart does not sleep."


I am not trying to be argumentative but I came across this and others. I have not seen a hadith that has the number 20 in it. The closest in one about the Prophet praying two by two rakats but no number is specified.


As Salam alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu

[Muslimah]

Bismillah


I know I will try Insh a Allah to look for the source of this 20.... [img]style_emoticons/default/smile.gif[/img]

[Muslimah]

Bismillah


as salam alykom


Ok Dan on this very interesting topic, Jazakum Allah khairan for making me search on it.


I check the meanings first, on the site of ibn Baz, he quoted the same Ayahs i did. But to correct something, he said that basically Qiyam and Tahajud are the same, which is logical according to the Ayahs. Both are performed on a voluntary basis after Esha till Fajr.


So we cannt really make one better than the other.


As for the number issue, I also searched on a credible site and found that the only number proved after the Messenger salla Allah a`lyhee wa sallam is as u quoted in the hadeeth of Aisha. However, as Ibn hijr mentioned in his book Alfath, he said that there are other options taken after the Sahaba and that this issue is somewhat flexible. I mean there is not harm if u take any of the options (this is exactly what was written in Arabic:


Taraweeh


He cited other numbers like:


11, 21, 23, 39, 41,49.


Actually if u think about it logically, Allah in Quran say:


"They used to sleep but little by night [invoking their Lord (Allah) and praying, with fear and hope]." (Quran 51:15)


Now let us look here at this Ayah, Allah Is describing a group of people who used to sleep only a little time during the night, what did they do other wise? of course pray. One who spends most of the time not sleeping shall not of cours restrict him/her self for only 11 Raka. But rather shall increase.


In fact, this makes it logical that a certain number was not decided by the Messenger in order to leave it to the ability, circumstances, capacity of each individual.


Jazakum Allah khairan for making me do this excercise.


wa Allah u a`lam.

[mohsie]

JazaakAllah Khair Sister Muslimah for the information


I always used to think that Taraweeh was always 20 rakaats. Some people pray 8, and that's ok too. And Tahajjud can be anything from 2 to 12 rakaats. However, as you mentioned, BOTH of these prayers are voluntary prayers, and the Qur'an certainly does not set a limit to the number. The fact that we have so many different hadeeths saying different numbers shows that different companions saw the Prophet (saw) praying different numbers of rakaats. this proves that it cannot be said to be bidah to pray as many rakaats as one wants, as long as they are between the Isha prayer, and the Fajr prayer. All these prayers come under the common term "Qiyam" used in the Qur'an. This is just my understanding, so please don't use this as a basis for your decisions. And Allah knows best.

[Muslimah]

Bismillah


More on the same theme, for instance when the Messenger salla Allah a`lyhee wa sallam stated about one who spends layaltu alqadr praying, he said whoever stood for the prayers in the night of Qadr, which in Arabic could be better transalted as one who stays up all night of layalatu lqadr. Probably this one would be praying as the whole point is to stay up to pray. how many Raka`s do u think u can make during a whole night, i mean the whole night...? up to each one's capacity. That is why there are these varied numbers and Allah Knows best

[Dan]

Bismillah


As Salam alaikum


I am going to seem as if I am arguing and I am not. I am not declaring anything bidah at all. Yet.... (here we go, right? [img]style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif[/img] )


The Prophet saws would have extended qiyam, rukoo, and sajood. These extensions are what made the rakats longer, correct? At my previous masjid, I have seen brothers searching for layl-al qadr and having two rakats last for 30-40 minutes. If one institutes the sunnah of sleeping a little after isha', then this would fill the night with prayer, correct?


I admit that I am being a bit of a stinker on this issue because in my heart I do not feel that there is anything wrong with what has been said and proposed. Then again, I should not base my worship on what's in my heart but rather according to the known sunnah.


Once again, I admit that I am being difficult. Scholars have said that it is okay so I am not going to argue with those who have waaaaay more knowledge. I guess I just wanted to have something to say? [img]style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif[/img]


As Salam alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu