The Illumination of Lamps Regarding the Tarāwīḥ Prayer:Establishing Twenty Rak’ahs as an Emphasized Prophetic Practice
This concise treatise, authored by Imam Taqī al-Dīn Abū al-Ḥasan ʿAlī al-Subkī (d. 756/1355), addresses the jurisprudential debates surrounding the Tarāwīḥ prayer that emerged during the eighth century after Hijri. The work specifically examines the legal ruling (ḥukm) concerning the Tarāwīḥ prayer and its congregational performance. Though brief in length, the treatise provides a comprehensive analysis by synthesizing disparate textual evidence regarding the prayer’s merit.
The work demonstrates al-Subkī’s systematic methodology in establishing the legal status of the Tarāwīḥ prayer. He begins by presenting the positions of the four canonical schools of law (madhāhib), followed by an examination of their evidentiary bases. The treatise concludes with a critical response to objections raised against classifying the Tarāwīḥ prayer as an established Prophetic practice [Sunna]. Throughout his analysis, al-Subkī employs rigorous legal reasoning while engaging with the broader scholarly discourse of his time.
The second part of the treatise presents Shaykh ʿAbdullāh Sirāj al-Dīn al-Ḥussaini’s (d. 2002) explanation of evidence used by mainstream scholars, including the four major Imams of Islamic jurisprudence, supporting the Sunni stance that Tarāwīḥ prayer should consist of twenty rakʿats.
Table of Contents
The Author: Imam Taqī al-Dīn Abū al-Ḥasan ʿAlī ibn ʿAbd al-Kāfī al-Subkī. 5
The Arabic text with parallel translation.. 11
On Refuting Disputes Regarding This Matter: 28
ʿAbdullāh Sirāj al-Dīn al-Ḥussaini (d. 2002) on the Rakʿāts of Tarāwīḥ. 33
The Proof of Those Who Say: “The Tarāwīḥ Prayer is Twenty Rakʿahs”. 37
Biography of Shaykh ʿAbdullāh Sirāj al-Dīn al -Ḥussaini by his disciple Shaykh Muḥammad ʿAwwāma. 52
Further resources on the Rak’ahs of Tarāwīh.. 58
To download the full work, please click on the next word – HERE
Further resources on the Rak’ahs of Tarāwīh
The following are all from the translator of this work:
- Perfecting the Proofs that the Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) Performed 20 Rak’ats of Tarāwīh Prayer.
Download link: https://archive.org/download/PerfectingTheProofs/PerfectingTheProofsThatTheProphetPerformed20RakatsTarawih_darultahqiq.pdf
- Is Salatul Taraweeh 8 or 20 rak’ats in Ramadan?
Password: Taraweeh
- Salafi scholars who authenticated al-Bayhaqi’s narration for 20 rak’ats Taraweeh: https://www.darultahqiq.com/salafi-scholars-who-authenticated-al-bayhaqis-narration-for-20-rakats-taraweeh/
- Answering The Claim That Imam Abu Hanifa Advocated 8 Rak’ats Taraweeh
- Lecture: Tarawih Why 20 Rak’ats & Not 8?
Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZapWWLpE9Y
Lecture notes: https://archive.org/download/THERAKATSOFTARAWIHAsSubahAcademy2019/THE%20RAKATS%20OF%20TARAWIH_as%20Subah%20academy_2019.pdf
Peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad
Collated by:
Abul Hasan Hussain Ahmed
1st Ramadan 1446 AH/1st March 2025
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