Offering Taraweeh in Ramadhan

Imam Baihaqi has recorded a Hadith in his Shu'ab Ul Iman:   Translation: It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abdullah bin Abbas (May Allah be well pleased with him), he said: When the month of Ramadhan came, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) released every prisoner and would give to everyone who asked.  (Baihaqui, Shu’ab Ul Iman, Hadith No: 3475)   Allah Ta'ala has made the fasts of Ramadhan Fardh (obligatory).  Its rules have been briefly mentioned in the Holy Quran and left the details and interpretation of them to the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).  Allah Ta’ala has given full authority to the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) to specify the rules and decide their reward.  As the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) is the most generous in Ramadhan, He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) decreed special forms of worship in Ramadhan and gave glad tidings of special reward on their performance.   The reward of an optional (Nafl) is equal to that of an obligation (Fardh), the reward of a Fardh is increased seventy-fold; the reward for providing means to a fasting person to break the fast is a drink from the Houz e Kouthar.  There is promise to increase a Momin's sustenance (Rizq) (Shu‘abul Iman, Hadith No. 3455).  Those who perform Itikaaf are rewarded for other virtuous acts, etc. (Zujajatul Masabeeh, Vol. 1, Pg. No. 590)   The special reward for these virtuous acts of Ramadhan has been mentioned in the Hadith only.  No verse of the Holy Quran mentions this.  This is only the generosity of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and the result of His benevolence.  A special virtuous act in Ramadhan is Taraweeh.   The command to offer Taraweeh   There is a Hadith:   Translation: Hadhrat Abu Salma Bin Abdur Rahman narrates on the authority of his father, Hadhrat Abdur Rahman (May Allah be well pleased with them) that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  Verily, Allah Ta’ala has made the fasts of Ramadhan Fardh (obligatory) on you and I have declared Taraweeh in it to be a Sunnah.   (Sunan Nasai, Hadith No. 2180; Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith No. 1318; Sunan Kubra Lil Baihaqui, Hadith No. 2520; Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaiba, Hadith No. 13; Jame’ Ul Ahadith Wal Maraseel, Hadith No. 13438; Kanzul Ummal, Hadith No. 23659/23660/23722)   The excellence of Taraweeh   There is a Hadith in Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Sunan Abu Dawood, Sunan Nasai, Jame Tirmidhi, Sunan Ibn Majah, etc.:   Translation: It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (May Allah be well pleased with him) that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: Whoever stands in Salaat in the nights of Ramadhan in a state of Iman and sincerity (Ikhlas), all his (or her) past sins are forgiven.

Dr. Mufti Syed Ziauddin Naqshbandi Mujaddidi Qadri

Shaykh Ul Fiqh, Jamia Nizamia; Founder - Director

Mufti Maulana Syed Zia Uddin Naqshbandi Quadri

Shaik-ul-Fiqh - Jamia Nizamia

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Offering Taraweeh in Ramadhan