1. Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims
  2. Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

12 Questions

How can I respond to my Sunni friends who ask me as to why Shias don't perform Taraweeh when, according to them, it was performed by the Prophet Muhammad (s)?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

Taraweeh congregational prayer was never performed by the Prophet and was not existing even in the time of Abu Bakr. First person who initiate Taraweeh was Omar Ibn Al-Khattab in the year 14 after Hijra. Omar himself called it a Bid'ah as you can see in Saheeh Al-Bukhari (1871) and Mussannaf Ibn Abi Shaibah (7588) and Sunan Al-Bayhaqi (1817) and Mussannaf Abdul Razzaq 7481 and many other Sunni books.

Many Sunni scholars admit that Omar was the first who started Taraweeh.

We, the followers of Ahlul Bayt take our religion from the Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) not from Omar or any other rulers. That is why we perform Night Prayer individually as the Prophet taught us and never do the Bid'ah of Taraweeh.

Wassalam.
Did Imam Ali (as) try to prevent the practice of Tarawih prayers during the reign of Umar bin Khattab?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

Taraweeh is a Bid'ah created in the year 14 after Hijra by Umar ibn Khttab. Umar himself called it Bid'ah ( Saheeh Bukhari; Hadeeth number1871 and Saheeh Muslim ; Hadeeth number 1219 , and Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal ; Hadeeth number 22944, and a Sunan Abi Dawood; 1143, and al-Mowatta'bby Malik ibn Ana's; 243, and Sunan al-Tirmithi ; 403, Sunan al-Kubba by al-Bayhaqi ; V.7, P. 62 and Saheeh ibn Hibban , V.6, P. 186 and many other Sunni books of Hadeeth).

imam Ali (AS) was always against every Bid'ah. He had clearly refused this practice and condemned it. When he had the government in his hand, he prevented people from Taraweeh and told them that no congregational prayer in Islam but the obligatory prayers but many of them said: It is Sunnah of Umar and we won't leave a Sunnah of Umar.( Al-Kafi 8:58).

Wassalam.
Are Taraveeh and Tahajjud the same thing or are they different prayers? Can you do both during Ramadan?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

Tahajjud is a great recommended worship for every night of the whole year. It is also called Salat Al-Layl or Namaz Shab. It is performed individually and not with congregation. Umar Ibn al-Khattab ordered during his government to pray Tahajjud with congregation which was then called Taraweeh.

Taraweeh is a Bid'ah which was never practiced by the Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) but was initiated by Omar Ibn al-Khattab in year 14 after Hijra.

Wassalam.
In the wake of COVID-19, can you perform Taraveeh alongwith others on TV or online video where the Imam is in a mosque and you are at home, so that you can at least listen to the recitation of the Quran?
Abbas Di Palma

as salam alaikum

according to the fiqh of Ahl al-Bayt prayer without connected lines is not valid and therefore it is not permissible to pray along with others on TV or online. It is good to keep your atmosphere pure and simply to focus on and get the best from your relationship with Allah during your acts of worship, especially away from such modern devices.

Furthermore, in our view it is sunnah of the Prophet to pray supererogatory prayers at home. This view was supported also by Imam Malik and Imam Shafi'i (according to some reports) and Abu Yusuf al-Hanafi.

With prayers for your success.