How many rakahs should I pray for tarawih?

Q: How many rakahs should I pray for tarawih?

A: The Tarawih prayer in Ramadan consists of twenty rakaʿāt (units of prayer) in congregation, as reported in the hadith of Ibn ʿAbbās (may Allah be pleased with him):

“The Prophet ﷺ would pray twenty rakaʿāt in the month of Ramadan.”

(Narrated by Abu Bakr ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz in al-Shāfī with his chain of transmission.)

Additionally, it is reported from Yazīd ibn Rumān (may Allah have mercy on him) that:

“During the time of ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb (may Allah be pleased with him), people would stand in prayer during Ramadan for twenty-three rakaʿāt.”

(Narrated by Mālik.)

This indicates that the practice of the Sahabah (Companions) in performing Taraweeh collectively in this manner was well-established. Some scholars mention that those who added beyond twenty did so as an additional act of voluntary worship (ziyādat taṭawwuʿ).

The Wisdom Behind Twenty Rakaʿāt

The basis for this number is that the regular voluntary prayers (rawātib) amount to ten rakaʿāt, which were then doubled in Ramadan due to the sacredness of the month and the heightened spiritual effort required. Furthermore, this practice was observed publicly in the presence of the Companions, leading to consensus (ijmāʿ) on its validity and continuity.

Source: Kashshaf al-Qina & Sharh al-Muntaha