it is Sunnath to perform 20 Raka’aths of Tharaweeh

الاستفتاء

Assalamu Alaikum I wish to know the number of Rakaat in Tharaweeh. How many Rakkats did Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam offer? Some people quote narration of Hadhrath A'isha Radhiyallahu Anha from Buhary and Muslim and say that he used to offer only eleven (11) Rakaaths?

الجواب حامدا و مصلیا

Tharaweeh consists of 20 Raka’ath, hence it is Sunnath to perform 20 Raka’aths of Tharaweeh and this has been established through the practice of Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam as well. Upon this, the Ijma (Consensus) is recorded of the Majority of the Ummah, the respected Sahaba Radhiyallahu Anhum, Thabi’een (their successors) Rahimahumullah and all the four great Imams Rahimahumullah. And the Ahadees which mention about 8 Raka’aath are, in reference to the Thahajjud Salath which Rasoolullahi Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam used to perform irrespective of Ramadhan and other months. He used to perform the same number of Raka’aath in Thahajjud. Therefore it is not correct to implicate this as evidence for Tharaweeh or as evidence for 8 Raka’ath in Tharaweeh and it is essential to refrain from doing so.