The Congregation Tarawih Prayer in Sunni Tradition

[adley]

Peace,

Not sure how many realize that there is something interesting within Sunni traditions regarding the congregational Tarawih prayer during Ramadan.
All hadiths were taken from http//www.usc.edu/schools/college/crcc/engagement/resources/texts/muslim/hadith/bukhari/

In Sunni community, whether it was 23 or 11 raka'ats, the congregational Tarawih prayers will be performed in local mosques.
Some do pray alone at home because most would pray these prayers in congregational.
What interesting is this

Volume 3, Book 32, Number 227
Narrated Abu Huraira

Allah's Apostle said, "Whoever prayed at night the whole month of Ramadan out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven." Ibn Shihab (a sub-narrator) said, "Allah's Apostle died and the people continued observing that (i.e. Nawafil offered individually, not in congregation), and it remained as it was during the Caliphate of Abu Bakr and in the early days of 'Umar's Caliphate." 'Abdur Rahman bin 'Abdul Qari said, "I went out in the company of 'Umar bin Al-Khattab one night in Ramadan to the mosque and found the people praying in different groups. A man praying alone or a man praying with a little group behind him. So, 'Umar said, 'In my opinion I would better collect these (people) under the leadership of one Qari (Reciter) (i.e. let them pray in congregation!)'. So, he made up his mind to congregate them behind Ubai bin Ka'b. Then on another night I went again in his company and the people were praying behind their reciter. On that, 'Umar remarked, 'What an excellent Bid'a (i.e. innovation in religion) this is; but the prayer which they do not perform, but sleep at its time is better than the one they are offering.' He meant the prayer in the last part of the night. (In those days) people used to pray in the early part of the night."

There is one major problem for the Sunnis here.
It is admitted in the hadith that Muhammad never offer the Tarawih prayer in congregation.
It is also admitted that the idea of congregation Tarawih prayer is 100% Umar's idea and it is a bid'a/innovation.

There are two backgrounds on why this should be a problem.
The first one is this

Volume 8, Book 73, Number 134
Narrated Zaid bin Thabit

Allah's Apostle made a small room (with a palm leaf mat). Allah's Apostle came out (of his house) and prayed in it. Some men came and joined him in his prayer. Then again the next night they came for the prayer, but Allah's Apostle delayed and did not come out to them. So they raised their voices and knocked the door with small stones (to draw his attention). He came out to them in a state of anger, saying, "You are still insisting (on your deed, i.e. Tarawih prayer in the mosque) that I thought that this prayer (Tarawih) might become obligatory on you. So you people, offer this prayer at your homes, for the best prayer of a person is the one which he offers at home, except the compulsory (congregational) prayer."

Hence, if someone were to ask, "Then how did they offer the Tarawih prayer before Umar's idea came into the picture?" the answer is that they offered the prayers individually and at home.

The second one is that by Sunni standards, bid'a (innovation in religion) is forbidden.
Such attempts are reprimanded.
For example

Volume 3, Book 49, Number 861
Narrated Aisha

Allah's Apostle said, "If somebody innovates something which is not in harmony with the principles of our religion, that thing is rejected."

Muslim, Book 004, Number 0790
Anas reported One day the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) was sitting amongst us that he dozed off. He then raised his head smilingly. We said What makes you smile. Messenger of Allah? He said A Sura has just been revealed to me, and then recited In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful. Verily We have given thee Kauthar (fount of abundance). Therefore turn to thy Lord for prayer and offer sacrifice, and surely thy enemy is cut off (from the good). Then he (the Holy Prophet) said Do you know what Kauthar is? We said Allah and His Messenger know best. The Holy Prophet (may peace be upon him) said It (Kauthar) is a canal which my Lord, the Exalted and Glorious has promised me, and there is an abundance of good in it. It is a cistern and my people would come to it on the Day of Resurrection, and tumblers there would be equal to the number of stars. A servant would be turned away from (among the people gathered there). Upon this I would say My Lord, he is one of my people, and He (the Lord) would say You do not know that he innovated new things (in Islam) after you. Ibn Hujr made this addition in the hadith" He (the Holy Prophet) was sitting amongst us in the mosque, and He (Allah) said (You don't know) what he innovated after you"

Surprisingly, or perhaps not, majority of Sunnis don't even realize this.
Perhaps, someone who wants to perform a little test to the Sunnis should present them the above hadiths and asked them what they think of them.
It might be interesting to try. )

=adley=