‫بسم ال الرحمن الرحيم‬

‫و عليكم السلم و رحمة ال و بركاته‬

This topic has been stretched more than it is needed so i will, inshallah write now a
proper response to clarify this confusion resulting from shaikh Al-Albani ( may Allah
forgive him) book " Salatu al-taraweeh ".

You aught to know my beloved brother and my respectable sister - May Allah have
His Mercy on you- that:

Imam Ibn al-Qaiym ( Rahimu Allah ) said in Zaad Al-Ma'aad: " anticipate then
conclude and believe". therefore concluding then reading will make you fall into the
trap of explianing everything you read in the context of what you have alreday
concluded. So think and becareful. Ibrahim Al-Taimi said: " If you follow every
scholar mistake then you are ruined, so be careful.

Before I start, I want to clarify the following points:

1. Shaikh Al-Albani ( rahimu Allah) had his own Ijtehad on this matter YET he was
mistaken.

2. This mistake does not undeestimate his rank as a shaikh and he will always have
the respect in our hearts as a one revived the Sunnah.

3. Sh. Al-Albani opinion about Night prayer is odd and opposes what the whole
Ummah agreed on in general and scholars who are more knowledgable than him in
the field of Hadeeth and Fiqh like Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Malik, Imam Shafi'e,
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal, Ibn Taymmya, Ibn Al-Qaiym, Al-Shawkani, Ibn hajar, Al-
Nawawi and many others ( rahimahum Allah).

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I will list the main argument of shaikah Al-Albani then reply to it then follow it with
supportive Hadeeths:

1. The main core argument on which shaikh al-albani (rahimu Allah) based that
Taraweeh or Night prayer must not exceed 13 Raka'a is because:

a. He argues: It is a night prayer that always been performed by the Prophet (Sallah
Allahu Alihi Wa Sallam) therefore it became a regular Sunnah.

b. This regular Sunnah was prayed not more than 13 Raka'a therefore it takes as
similar rulings to Sunan Rawatib ( Sunan before and after Fard Prayers) which are
prayed in speccific Numbers that no one can exceed.

This argument is refuted by the fact that such prayer is not linked to any prayer. So, it
is seprate prayer that performed at specific time i.e. night. In addition, the shaikh
argument is too weak because:
A. The Hadeeths in which the Prophet ( Salla Allahu Alihi Wa Sallam) encouraging
night prayer always mentioned night prayer virtue in general without mentioning a set
of Number.

B. The Hadeeths in which the prophet (Salla Allahu Alihi Wa Sallam) replying to
inquiries about Night prayer is left either unlimited ( as soon will be proven) or left it
to the choice of the person ( as soon will be proven).

Based on the above, If Night prayers has a specific set of Numbers as the shaikh
argued then the Prophet would not advise us to pray as much as we want at night.

That's said, we realize that we are surrounded by three facts concluded from authentic
Hadeeths:

1) Actions of the Prophet: praying 11 or 13

2. Advices said by the Prophet about the virtue of Night prayer

3) Advices given by the Prophet to pray as much as we wish.

Pouring the above into one argument will make us realize that: Night prayer set of
Number is open matter since the Prophet himself said pray as much as you wish. So,
saying No, we are obligated to pray only 13 or any other specific number is an
obvious contradiction to what the Prophet (Salla allahu Alihi wa sallam) said.

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Hadeeths that support the above argument:

1. Abdullah Bin Umar ( Radi Allahu Anhu) related: A man asked the Prophet (Sallah
Allahu Alihi Wa Sallam) about Night Prayers. He replied: " Night prayer are two by
two, and when you are afraid that dawn is approching then pray one Raka'a to make
what you have prayed odd" [ Malik's Muwatta: Hadeeth 267]

This hadeeth proves the generality of night prayer as a prayer with no limitation
because at the time the Prophet ( Sallah Alahu Alihi Wa Sallam) was asked he had not
mention numbers at all. It is established in Usool that delaying a needed information
or clarification at time of inquiry is not accepted. So, if the number is needed then it
would be mentioned especially noting that the question the man asked is general so he
was asking about all information he can get about Night prayer.

If it argued that he has not asked about the number and the question seemed to be in
regards the description, then we reply saying: If this is true then the prophet would not
have mentioned the Witr issue and only answered how the night prayer should be
prayed. In addition, it is noted that it is the Manhaj of the Prophet (Salla Allahu Alihi
wa sallam) to answer with additional information if it is needed or considered
beneficial. Therefore, if the number was needed he would have mentioned it. that is
why we find him mentioning theWitr prayer only as additional information although
the man did not ask about it.
2. A'mro Bin A'bsa reported: I asked the Prophet: what is the best time of the night?
He [ the prophet- replied: " the last part of the night. PRAY AS MUCH AS YOU
WISH because Salah at that time is witnessed and written ( by angles) and do so until
you pray Subh ( Fajir)...." [ Sahih Ibn Khuzaima:260 and Mustadrak: 584]

This Hadeeth is too obvious to be explained and is clearly proves that the Prophet
NEVER wished to limit night prayer to the set of numbers of raka'aat he prays. Thus,
he said it clearly: Pray as much as you wish. So, limiting night prayer to 11 or 13 is an
obvious contradiction to the conformed Sunnah.

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Hadeeths that Prove that the Prophet ( Salla Allahu Alihi Wa Sallam) prayed
more than what Aisha ( radi Allahu Anha) reported:

Ibn Abbas reported: "Once I passed the night in the house of my aunt Maimuna ( radi
Allahu A'nha). Allah's Messenger ( Salla Allahu Alihi Wa sallam) offered the I'shaa
prayer and then came to the house and offered Four Raka'aat and slept. Later on, he
woke up and stood for the prayer and I stood on his left side. He drew me to his right
side and prayed [ two by two until he prayed Eight Raka'aat] then he prayed Five
raka'aat and then Two raka'aat. He then slept till I heard his breath sound.
Afterwards, he went out for Fajir Prayer. [ Sahih Bukhari: 117] [ what between the
brackets is documented in Sunan Abi dawd: 1358].

The above authentic Hadeeth proves that the Prophet prayed 17 Raka'at as night
prayer, which is backed up by the statement of Al-Hafith Al-Munthiri who said: " it is
reported that most of what the Prophet (Salla Allahu Alihi Wa Sallam) offered as
night prayer is Seventeen rakaat" [ Al-Talkhees: 2/14].

Yet, this Number seems to be more based on the following hadeeths. There is an
addition, which is mentioned in Fathu Al-Bari that Ibn Abbas said: " He prayed
Isha'aa prayer then offered Four Rakaat until everyone left the Masjid then he left"
[ Al-Fath: 2/484].

Based on the above, the total Number of what the Prophet prayed is:

4 after Ishaa at the masjid + 4 at Maimuna house + 8 after he woke up from sleep + 5
after the 8 raka'aat + 2 rakaat. = 21 Rakaat of night prayer.

It might be argued that these Raka'aat includes: 2 Rakaat of Sunnah before Fajir and
two Rakaat of Sunnah after Ishaaa!!

To assume the correctness of such argument, hypothetically, that would decresae the
nighht prayer set of Rak'aat Number to 17 which still refute the argument of the
shaikh ( ghafara Allahu Lah). In spite of this, the last two Rakaat offered after Witr is
not the Sunnah before Fajir which is based on an authentic Hadeeth that shaikh Al-
Albani himseld acknowledged.

Narrated by Anas Bin Malik: Once, the Prophet (Salla Allahu Alihi Wa Sallam) was
offering night prayer - during Ramdan- at his Hujra. So some companions joined him
and started praying with him. As a result, the prophet (sallah Allahu Alihi Üa Sallam)
shortened the lentgh of the Salah then entered his house and prayed long Salah then
he came out and led his companion in a Salah but short one. Then he entered his
house again and prayed long salah Then he went out and prayed with his companion
short one then he went back to his house and prayed long salah. He kept doing so
many times until fajir came they asked him: we came and you did such and such. He
replied: I did so for you" [ Musnad Ahmad: 13236]

This is a Saheeh hadeeth that its Isnaad is on the condition of Imam Muslim
( Rahmahu Allah) as Shuab al-ranouti commented.

Observe the words of this hadeeth:

1. First prayed with his companions short ones

2. Prayed alone at his house long ones

3. came out and prayed with his companions again short ones

4. Entered His house and prayed long ones

5. Did the above many times

If we to assume he prayed 2 rakaa at each time then that would result: 8 Rak'aat.

Then Anas bin Malik ( radi allahu A'nh) said: He did that many times so if we to
assume the minmum then let;s say he did it 3 times then that would make 8+8+8= 24
Rakaa't.

On other point, it shows how the Salah of the Prophet differed from how he prayed it
while he is alone and how he prayed it when he is leading others.

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Supportive Evidences prove praying more than 13 by Salaf:

Yazeed bin Rouman reported: Poeple used to pray 23 raka'aa during Ramdan, as a
night prayer. [ Malik's Muwatta]

Yahya bin Sa'ed reported: "Umar bin l-Khattab ordered a man to lead ( Taraweeh)
with 20 rakaa. [ Sunan Al-Bayaqi]

Abdulaziz bin rafie reported: " Ubai Bin Ka'b used to lead people at taraweeh with 20
Raka'a then pray 3 raka'a as witr" [Sunan Al-Bayhaqi]

The above are authentic Mursal athaar that supports that praying 20 existed at time of
Umar bin alkhattab. In addition, there are more supportive evidences:

Nafi' Bin Umar reported: "Ibn Abi malika used to pray with us 20 Raka'a at time he
leads us during Ramadn. [Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaiba]

A'taa reported: "I witnessed people praying 23 Rakaa including witr" [ Musanaf Ibn
Abi shaiba]

Abu Al-Khusaib reported: " Swaid bin Ghaflah used to lead us during Ramadn. He
would pray 5 Taraweeh; 20 Rakaa'a in total. [ Sunan Aal-Bayhaqi]

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Description of the Prophet (Sallah Allahu Alihi Wa Sallam) at Night prayer:

It was mostly performed between 11-13 Rakaa and they are too lentghy ones.

The Sunnah here is not just the number but most important is the lentgh of the Salah
which is , as proven, are too long more than normal that even the companions thought
of as too difficult.

The lentgh of Salah is based from a dorective Quranic Aya that advises the Prophet to
offer prayers during most of the night. So, the concern here is about the lentgh rather
than the numberof Raka'aat.

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In conclusion,

It has been proven that the Prophet prayed more than 11 which is the number Aisha
(radi Allahu Anha) said that the Prophet never exceeded. as a matter of fact she is the
one who reported that he prayed 13 Raka'aa as well. Scholars said: " She narrated
what she witnessed and others reported what they witnessed".

In addition, we have clearly found that the Prophet has prayed more than 13 Rakaa as
above authentic Hadeeths shows. in addition to all other supportive evidences we
transmitted. I would have mentioned the scholars statements by it is enough to know
that all our great scholars understood Night prayer as unlimited and this is the sound
understanding of the Salaf and Khlalaf ( Rahimuhum Allah) like: Four Imams, Ibn
Hajar, Alhaithami, alnawawi, Ibn taymyya, Ibn Al-Qaiym, Almunthiri, al-Iraqi, Al-
Qadi Iy'aad, Ibn Abdul Bir, and many many others.

It is true that the most prayed by the Prophet (Sallah Allahu A'lih wa Sallam) was 11 -
13 but that was for a reason: the lentghy prayer he offers that almost ends by dawn
time. Thus, advocating the Sunnah as numbers is wrong since the sunnah is the
description of it as well.

It is an open matter, whoever wished to pray 13 as most of the time the prophet
prayed then he touched the Sunnah. And, whoever wish to pray more then he touched
the sunnah as well since he followed his advice when he said pray as much as you
wish.

Thus, It is wise not to deny on others and if the comapnions, our preceeded scolars
have not disputed about it then would not be fair enough that we do the same and we
claimk to follow thier steps.

Jazakom Allah kheir.

Wallahu A'lam

Written Today: 3rd of May 2008

By Ayman Bin Khaled

__________________
Seeking Knowledge & Learning Fiqh Is Only Praised When It Is For
The Purpose Of Acting Upon It, Not For The Sake Of Discussions &
Arguments