al-Tabarih fi Salat al-Tarawih

al-Tabarih fi Salat al-Tarawih (The Pangs/Reflections on the Tarawih Prayer) is a contemporary legal and spiritual treatise on the rulings, manners, and common practices associated with the Tarawih night prayer during Ramadan, authored by Abd al-Rahman bin Abd al-Aziz al-Aql al-Tabarih fi Salat al-Ta….

Composition and Purpose

The treatise was completed on 8 Sha'ban 1437 AH by Abd al-Rahman bin Abd al-Aziz al-Aql, an assistant professor in the Department of Sunnah at the College of Sharia at Qassim University and the imam and khatib of the Ibn al-Qayyim Mosque in Buraydah al-Tabarih fi Salat al-Ta…. The author composed the work to offer a concise guide linking the physical act of prayer with spiritual contemplation, emphasizing the triad of fasting, the Quran, and Tarawih as transformative elements in refining the soul al-Tabarih fi Salat al-Ta…. A core aim noted in the introductory discussion is reinforcing that a primary objective of Tarawih is listening to and meditating on the recitation of the Quran al-Tabarih fi Salat al-Ta….

Structure and Content

The treatise is organized into an introduction and five thematic chapters (mabahith), each subdivided into focused sections (matalib):

1. Chapter One: Concept, Legality, and Virtues of Tarawih (Mafhum Salat al-Tarawih wa-Mashru'iyatuha wa-Fadluha): Covers the linguistic derivation of tarawih from rest (tarwihah), its legal definition, the proofs for its prescription from the prophetic Sunnah and scholarly consensus, and its merits al-Tabarih fi Salat al-Ta…+1.
2. Chapter Two: Description of the Tarawih Prayer (Sifat Salat al-Tarawih): Divided into five sections discussing the number of rak'ahs, the manner of performing them (such as offering them in units of two), what is said between taslims, guidelines for Quranic recitation, and the qunut supplication al-Tabarih fi Salat al-Ta….
3. Chapter Three: Miscellaneous Issues Concerning Tarawih (Masa'il Mutafarriqah fi Salat al-Tarawih): Treats five specific practical questions: whether performing Tarawih in congregation or individually is superior, women praying Tarawih in the mosque, remaining with the imam until the completion of Witr versus departing early, additional late-night congregational prayer (al-ta'qib), and the ruling on announcing the prayer with phrases like "Salat al-qiyam athabakum Allah" al-Tabarih fi Salat al-Ta….
4. Chapter Four: Insights and Pointers (Shadharat wa-Isharat): Contains thirteen direct spiritual admonitions aimed particularly at prayer leaders (imams), covering the burden and trust of imamate, spiritual sincerity, avoiding hidden ostentation (al-shirk al-khafi), maintaining private devotion (khabi'ah), observing proper Quranic pauses (waqf), guarding against Satan's traps, and avoiding excessive affectation in supplication al-Tabarih fi Salat al-Ta…+1.
5. Chapter Five: Common Mistakes and Neglected Sunnahs (Akhta' Mashhurah wa-Sunan Mahjurah fi al-Tarawih): Details widespread errors committed during Tarawih—such as rushing recitation to draw crowds, overextended qunut, and excessive rhyming in supplications—alongside neglected prophetic practices al-Tabarih fi Salat al-Ta….

Key Rulings and Juridical Discussions

The author engages classical and modern legal opinions across several debated questions:

• Number of Rak'ahs and Following the Imam: While identifying eleven rak'ahs as the established prophetic practice and the preference of early narrations, the author stresses that worshipers should not leave the congregation before the imam completes his prayer, even if the imam performs more than eleven rak'ahs, citing the prophetic promise of receiving the reward of praying the entire night for whoever remains until the imam departs al-Tabarih fi Salat al-Ta…+1.
• Audible Chanting and Collective Dhikr Between Units: The treatise highlights that designating specific collective chants, loud recitations, or blessings upon the Prophet between every two or four rak'ahs has no basis in the Sunnah or the practice of the early generations (salaf) al-Tabarih fi Salat al-Ta…+1.
• Verbal Call to Prayer: Calling out phrases such as "Salat al-qiyam, athabakum Allah" before initiating Tarawih is classified as an innovation (bid'ah), as no call (adhan or iqamah) is legislated for voluntary prayers al-Tabarih fi Salat al-Ta…+1.
• Late-Night Extra Congregational Prayer (al-Ta'qib): Examining the disagreement within the Hanbali school and other jurists regarding praying in congregation again late at night after having completed Tarawih and Witr, the author concludes that it is permissible without dislike al-Tabarih fi Salat al-Ta….