One Benefit a day (Day 8)

Debunking A Common Misconception related to Tarawih It's not obligatory to pray Tarawih! In fact, the Prophet ﷺ refrained from praying Tarawih in the masjid for fear that it may become obligatory. Narrated 'Aishah radhiyallahu 'anha: “One night Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) offered the prayer in the Mosque and the people followed him. The next night he also offered the prayer and too many people gathered. On the third and the fourth nights more people gathered, but Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) did not come out to them. In the morning he said, ((قَدْ رَأَيْتُ الَّذِي صَنَعْتُمْ وَلَمْ يَمْنَعْنِي مِنَ الْخُرُوجِ إِلَيْكُمْ إِلاَّ أَنِّي خَشِيتُ أَنْ تُفْرَضَ عَلَيْكُمْ)) “I saw what you were doing and nothing but the fear that it (i.e. the prayer) might be enjoined on you, stopped me from coming to you.” And that happened in the month of Ramadhan. [Reported by Bukhari & Muslim] This means, a person is not sinful for missing Tarawih, let alone having his fast invalidated - as some people wrongly assume. Nonetheless, it's not befitting for a Muslim to miss Tarawih, because it is a great act of worship that is highly recommended, especially during Ramadhan The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, ((مَنْ قَامَ رَمَضَانَ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا, غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ)) “Whosoever performs (Tarawih) prayers at night throughout Ramadan, with Faith and in the hope of receiving Allah's reward, will have his past sins forgiven.” [Al- Bukhari and Muslim].