Taraweeh - An introduction

[Taraweeh is an essential part of Ramadhan.  Here, we present the chapter on Taraweeh from Noor Ul Masabeeh, the Urdu translation of Zujaajatul Masabeeh, the famous Hadith classic of the Hanafi School of jurisprudence, authored by Hadhrat Muhaddith-e-Deccan, Hadhrat ‘Abdullah Shah Sahab Naqshbandi Mujaddidi Qadri (May Allah shower His Mercy on him).  This first installment enunciates the importance and excellence of Taraweeh]

 

Hadith about the excellence of Taraweeh

 

It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat the mother of the believers, Hadhrat ‘Aisha Siddiqua (May Allah be well pleased with her), she says that without giving an exhortation which would make it Obligatory (Fardh), to encourage it in such a way that would make it a Compulsory Sunnah (Sunnah Moukkada), the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  The believer, who with the intention of reward, offers Taraweeh in Ramadhan without any ostentation, all his (or her) previous sins are forgiven.

 

This has been narrated by Nasai.

 

Another Hadith

 

It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (May Allah be well pleased with him), he says that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  Whichever Muslim offers Taraweeh without any ostentation with the intention of reward, all his (or her) past sins are forgiven.

 

This has been narrated by Bukhari.

 

Third Hadith about the excellence of Taraweeh

 

It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat ‘Abdur Rahman bin ‘Auf, he says that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  Allah Most High has obligated fasts (in the Holy Quran) on all you Muslims and I (through this Hadith) declare Taraweeh a (Compulsory) Sunnah.

 

Thus, whoever among you sincerely and without any ostentation fasts in Ramadhan and offers Taraweeh, then he (or she) will be purified of all sins the way he was pure of them on the day of his birth.

 

This has been related by Nasai, Baihaqui, Ibn Majah and Ibn Abi Shaiba. 

 

Fourth Hadith about the excellence of Taraweeh

 

It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat ‘Abdur Rahman bin ‘Auf (May Allah be well pleased with him), he says that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  Whichever Muslim offers Taraweeh in Ramadhan with the intention of reward and without any ostentation, that person will be cleansed of all his (or her) sins as he was on the day of his birth.

 

This has been narrated by Nasai.

 

The Prophet’s worship of Ramadhan proves that Taraweeh is a Compulsory Sunnah

 

It is narrated on the authority of the mother of the believers Hadhrat ‘Aisha Siddiqua (May Allah be well pleased with her), she says: In Ramadhan, the custom of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) was that He would never rest relaxedly.  He would recline for some time and then would spend the greater part of the night in worship of Allah.  This would be the custom until the end of Ramadhan.

 

This has been narrated by Baihaqui.

 

[Excerpted from Noor Ul Masabeeh, Vol. 3, Pg. No. 184-186]