The Number of Raka`aat of the Night Prayer (Qiyaam-ul-Layl) in Ramadaan and Other Months:
Aboo Salamah ibn `Abdir-Rahmaan narrated that he asked `Aa’ishah (radiyallaahu `anhaa):
“How was the prayer of the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam) in Ramadaan?” She replied:
“The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam) did not use to pray more than eleven raka`aat, neither in Ramadaan nor in any other month.”
Reported by Al-Bukhaaree (The Book of Taraaweeh Salaah (31), #2013) and Muslim (1723) in their Saheehs.
Jaabir (radiyallaahu `anhu) said: “The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam) prayed with us eight raka`aat and the Witr in Ramadaan.”
Authenticated by Ibn Khuzaimah (1070), Ibn Hibbaan (2409, 2415), , `Ubaidullaah Al-Mubaarakfooree (Al-Mir`aah, 4/322), Al-Albaanee (Salaat-ut-Taraaweeh, p.21, At-Ta`leeqaat-ul-Hisaan, 2401, 2406), Husayn Asad (Al-Mawaarid, 920), Al-Hilaalee (Sifat-us-Saum, p.97), Al-Halabee (Ibid; Al-Kashf-us-Sareeh, p.28), Al-A`zamee (Risaalah “Salaat-ut-Taraaweeh”, Majallat-ul-Jaami`at-il-Islaamiyyah, #59), Mustafaa Al-A`zamee (Saheeh Ibn Khuzaimah, 1070) and others.
Its isnaad was also authenticated by Ibn Hajar (Al-Fath, 2/198) and Adh-Dhahabee (Al-Meezaan, 6561) alluded to its authenticity.
As-Saa’ib ibn Yazeed (radiyallaahu `anhu) said: “`Umar ibn Al-Khattaab ordered Ubayy ibn Ka`b and Tameem Ad-Daaree (radiyallaahu `anhum) to lead the people in prayer with eleven raka`aat (in Ramadaan).” And in another narration:
“We used to pray eleven raka`aat during the time of `Umar ibn Al-Khattaab (radiyallaahu `anhu).”
Authenticated by As-Suyootee (Al-Haawee, Kitaab-us-Salaah, Al-Fataawal-Hadeethiyyah, Al-Masaabeeh fee Salaat-it-Taraaweeh), An-Naymawee (C.f. Tuhfat-ul-Ahwadhee, 3/611), Al-Mubaarakfooree (Ibid, 3/611-612, 614), `Ubaidullaah Al-Mubaarakfooree (Mir`aat-ul-Mafaateeh, 4/333), Al-Albaanee (Salaat-ut-Taraaweeh, p.45, 53; Tamaam-ul-Minnah, p.252; Qiyaam Ramadaan, p.24; Al-Mishkaah, 1254), `Abdul-Qaadir Al-Arnaa’oot (Jaami`-ul-Usool, 4223), Shu`aib Al-Arna’oot (As-Siyar, 1/ 401 ), Husayn Asad (Ibid), Al-Halabee (Al-Kashf-us-Sareeh, p.52), Al-Hilaalee (Al-Muwatta’, 271), Al-A`zamee (Risaalah “Salaat-ut-Taraaweeh”, Majallat-ul-Jaami`at-il-Islaamiyyah, #59; Al-Minnat-ul-Kubraa, 2/408) and others.
