Wednesday 6 February 2013


Hanfi Scholars agreed 8 Rakat Tarweeh


This Article is a response to those Hanfis who denies praying 8 Rakat Taraweeh.

Contents:
a)Proof from Ahadith.
b)Proof from Hanfi Hanfi Scholars.




a) Proof from Ahadith


Allah Says,
وَيَوۡمَ يَعَضُّ ٱلظَّالِمُ عَلَىٰ يَدَيۡهِ يَقُولُ يَـٰلَيۡتَنِى ٱتَّخَذۡتُ مَعَ ٱلرَّسُولِ سَبِيلاً  يَـٰوَيۡلَتَىٰ لَيۡتَنِى لَمۡ أَتَّخِذۡ فُلَانًا خَلِيلاً۬  لَّقَدۡ أَضَلَّنِى عَنِ ٱلذِّڪۡرِ بَعۡدَ إِذۡ جَآءَنِى‌ۗ وَڪَانَ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنُ لِلۡإِنسَـٰنِ خَذُولاً۬ 
''And the Day the wrongdoer will bite on his hands [in regret] he will say, "Oh, I wish I had taken with the Messenger a way.Oh, woe to me! I wish I had not taken that one as a friend.He led me away from the remembrance after it had come to me. And ever is Satan, to man, a deserter."(Surah Furqah 25:27-29)

Allah Says,
فَلَا وَرَبِّكَ لَا يُؤۡمِنُونَ حَتَّىٰ يُحَكِّمُوكَ فِيمَا شَجَرَ بَيۡنَهُمۡ ثُمَّ لَا يَجِدُواْ فِىٓ أَنفُسِہِمۡ حَرَجً۬ا مِّمَّا قَضَيۡتَ وَيُسَلِّمُواْ تَسۡلِيمً۬ا
''But no, by your Lord, they will not [truly] believe until they make you, [O Muhammad], judge concerning that over which they dispute among themselves and then find within themselves no discomfort from what you have judged and submit in [full, willing] submission.''(Surah Nisa 4:65)

Comment:-When there is a dispute among Muslim We are oblige to solve according to Quran and Sunnah.

Allah says,
لَّقَدۡ كَانَ لَكُمۡ فِى رَسُولِ ٱللَّهِ أُسۡوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ۬ لِّمَن كَانَ يَرۡجُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلۡيَوۡمَ ٱلۡأَخِرَ وَذَكَرَ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرً۬ا
''There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allah often.''(Surah Ahzaab 33:21)

Allah Says,
وَمَن يُشَاقِقِ ٱلرَّسُولَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُ ٱلۡهُدَىٰ وَيَتَّبِعۡ غَيۡرَ سَبِيلِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ نُوَلِّهِۦ مَا تَوَلَّىٰ وَنُصۡلِهِۦ جَهَنَّمَ‌ۖ وَسَآءَتۡ مَصِيرًا 
''And whoever opposes the Messenger after guidance has become clear to him and follows other than the way of the believers - We will give him what he has taken and drive him into Hell, and evil it is as a destination''.(Surah Nisa 4:115)

Comment:-It's a Dire Warning for those who don't follow the way of Prophet(peace be upon him) and his companions.

Allah Says,
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَكۡفُرُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِۦ وَيُرِيدُونَ أَن يُفَرِّقُواْ بَيۡنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِۦ وَيَقُولُونَ نُؤۡمِنُ بِبَعۡضٍ۬ وَنَڪۡفُرُ بِبَعۡضٍ۬ وَيُرِيدُونَ أَن يَتَّخِذُواْ بَيۡنَ ذَٲلِكَ سَبِيلاً أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلۡكَـٰفِرُونَ حَقًّ۬ا‌ۚ وَأَعۡتَدۡنَا لِلۡكَـٰفِرِينَ عَذَابً۬ا مُّهِينً۬ا
''Verily, those who disbelieve in Allâh and His Messengers and wish to make distinction between Allâh and His Messengers (by believing in Allâh and disbelieving in His Messengers) saying, "We believe in some but reject others, and wish to adopt a way in between.They are in truth disbelievers. And We have prepared for the disbelievers a humiliating torment. '(Suratun Nisa 150-151)

Hadith-1a
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah's Apostle said, "All my followers will enter Paradise except those who refuse." They said, "O Allah's Apostle! Who will refuse?" He said, "Whoever obeys me will enter Paradise, and whoever disobeys me is the one who refuses (to enter it).
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ سِنَانٍ، حَدَّثَنَا فُلَيْحٌ، حَدَّثَنَا هِلاَلُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ، عَنْ عَطَاءِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏"‏ كُلُّ أُمَّتِي يَدْخُلُونَ الْجَنَّةَ، إِلاَّ مَنْ أَبَى ‏"‏‏.‏ قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَمَنْ يَأْبَى قَالَ ‏"‏ مَنْ أَطَاعَنِي دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ، وَمَنْ عَصَانِي فَقَدْ أَبَى ‏"‏‏.‏
(Sahih BuKhari English reference: Vol. 9, Book 92, Hadith 384;Sahih Bukhari Arabic reference: Book 97, Hadith 7365)


Hadith-1b
Sahih Bukhari which states: Volume 2, Book 21, Number 248: (Sahih Bukhari - Book of Tahajjud)
Narrated Abu Salma bin 'Abdur Rahman: I asked 'Aisha, "How is the prayer of Allah's Apostle during the month of Ramadan."She said, "Allah's Apostle never exceeded eleven Rakat in Ramadan or in other months; he used to offer four Rakat-- do not ask me about their beauty and length, then four Rakat, do not ask me about their beauty and length, and then three Rakat." Aisha further said, "I said, 'O Allah's Apostle! Do you sleep before offering the Witr prayer?' He replied, 'O 'Aisha! My eyes sleep but my heart remains 
awake'!"

Hadith-2
Volume 2, Book 21, Number 261: (Sahih Bukhari)
Narrated 'Aisha: Allah's Apostle used to offer thirteen Rakat in the night prayer and on hearing the Adhan for the morning prayer, he used to offer two light Rakat. 

Hadith-3
Volume 2, Book 21, Number 240: (Sahih Bukhari)
Narrated Masruq: I asked Aisha about the night prayer of Allah's Apostle and she said, "It was seven, nine or eleven Rakat besides the two Rakat of the Fajr prayer (i.e. Sunna). "

Hadith-4
Book 004, Number 1611: (Sahih Muslim)
It is reported on the authority of 'A'isha that the prayer of Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) in the nightconsisted of ten rak'ahs. He observed a Witr and two rak'ahs (of Sunan) of the dawn prayer, and thus the total comes to thirteen rak'ahs.

Hadith-5
Book 004, Number 1686: (Sahih Muslim)
Abu Jamra reported: I heard Ibn 'Abbas saying that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) observed thirteen rak'ahs at night.

Hadith-6
Book 004, Number 1687: (Sahih Muslim)
Zaid b Khalid al-Juhani said: I would definitely watch at night the prayer observed by the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him).He prayed two short rak'ahs, then two long, long, long rak'ahs, then he prayed two rak'ahs which were shorter than the two preceding rak'ahs, then he prayed two rak'ahs which were shorter than the two preceding, then he prayed two rak'ahs which were shorter than the two preceding, then observed a single one (Witr), making a total of thirteen rak'ahs

Hadith-7
Book 6, Number 6.2.4: (Muwatta Imam Malik)
Yahya related to me from Malik from Muhammad ibn Yusuf that as-Sa'ib ibn Yazid said, "Umar ibn al-Khattab ordered Ubayy ibn Kab and Tamim ad-Dari to watch the night in prayer with the people for eleven rakas.The reciterof the Qur'an would recite the Mi'in (a group of medium-sized suras) until we would be leaning on our staffs from having stood so long in prayer. And we would not leave until the approach of dawn." 

Hadith-8
Muslim : Book 4 : Hadith 1628 
'A'isha reported that when the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) decided upon doing any act, he continued to do it, and when he slept at night or fell sick he observed twelve rak'ahs during the daytime. I am not aware of Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) observing prayer during the whole of the night till morning, or observing fast for a whole month continuously except that of Ramadan.

Hadith-9
Muslim : Book 4 : Hadith 1610
Abu Salama is reported to have said. I came to 'A'isha. I said: O mother, inform me about the prayer of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him). She said: His (night prayer) in Ramadan and (during other months) was thirteen rak'ahs at night including two rak'ahs of fajr.

Hadith-10
It was narrated that Aishah said:"The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) used to pray eleven rak'ahs at night between finishing Isha' prayer and Fajr, apart from the two rak'ahs of Fajr, and he would prostrate for as long as it takes one of you to recite fifty verses. (Sahih)
أَخْبَرَنَا يُوسُفُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا حَجَّاجٌ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا لَيْثٌ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي عُقَيْلٌ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُصَلِّي إِحْدَى عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَةً فِيمَا بَيْنَ أَنْ يَفْرُغَ مِنْ صَلاَةِ الْعِشَاءِ إِلَى الْفَجْرِ بِاللَّيْلِ سِوَى رَكْعَتَىِ الْفَجْرِ وَيَسْجُدُ قَدْرَ مَا يَقْرَأُ أَحَدُكُمْ خَمْسِينَ آيَةً ‏.‏
(Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 1749;Sunan Nasai English translation: Vol. 2, Book 20, Hadith 1750)

Hadith-11

It was narrated from 'Urwah (that) Aishah said:"The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) used to pray eleven rak'ahs, making it odd (witr) by one between the time when he finished 'Isha and dawn, and he would prostrate for as long as it takes one of you to recite fifty verses before raising his head." (Sahih)
أَخْبَرَنَا سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ دَاوُدَ بْنِ حَمَّادِ بْنِ سَعْدٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ وَهْبٍ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي ابْنُ أَبِي ذِئْبٍ، وَعَمْرُو بْنُ الْحَارِثِ، وَيُونُسُ بْنُ يَزِيدَ، أَنَّ ابْنَ شِهَابٍ، أَخْبَرَهُمْ عَنْ عُرْوَةَ، قَالَ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُصَلِّي فِيمَا بَيْنَ أَنْ يَفْرُغَ مِنْ صَلاَةِ الْعِشَاءِ إِلَى الْفَجْرِ إِحْدَى عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَةً وَيُوتِرُ بِوَاحِدَةٍ وَيَسْجُدُ سَجْدَةً قَدْرَ مَا يَقْرَأُ أَحَدُكُمْ خَمْسِينَ آيَةً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَرْفَعَ رَأْسَهُ ‏.‏ وَبَعْضُهُمْ يَزِيدُ عَلَى بَعْضٍ فِي الْحَدِيثِ ‏.‏ مُخْتَصَرٌ ‏.‏
Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i 1328;Sunan Nasai English translation: Vol. 2, Book 13, Hadith 1329

Hadith-12

It was narrated that 'Aishah said:"Between the time when he finished 'Isha' prayer and Fajr, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) used to pray eleven Rak'ahs, saying the Taslim after each two Rak'ahs, then praying Witr as one Rak'ah. He would prostrate for as long as it takes one of you to recite fifty verses, then he would raise his head. When the Mu'adhdhin finished the call to Fajr prayer and he could see the dawn, he would pray two brief Rak'ahs, then he would go out with him." Some of these narrators (Ibn Abi Dhi'b, Yunus and 'Amr bin Al-Harith) added some phrases not mentioned by the others in the Hadith.
أَخْبَرَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ عَمْرِو بْنِ السَّرْحِ، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي ابْنُ أَبِي ذِئْبٍ، وَيُونُسُ، وَعَمْرُو بْنُ الْحَارِثِ، أَنَّ ابْنَ شِهَابٍ، أَخْبَرَهُمْ عَنْ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُصَلِّي فِيمَا بَيْنَ أَنْ يَفْرُغَ مِنْ صَلاَةِ الْعِشَاءِ إِلَى الْفَجْرِ إِحْدَى عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَةً يُسَلِّمُ بَيْنَ كُلِّ رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَيُوتِرُ بِوَاحِدَةٍ وَيَسْجُدُ سَجْدَةً قَدْرَ مَا يَقْرَأُ أَحَدُكُمْ خَمْسِينَ آيَةً ثُمَّ يَرْفَعُ رَأْسَهُ فَإِذَا سَكَتَ الْمُؤَذِّنُ مِنْ صَلاَةِ الْفَجْرِ وَتَبَيَّنَ لَهُ الْفَجْرُ رَكَعَ رَكْعَتَيْنِ خَفِيفَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ اضْطَجَعَ عَلَى شِقِّهِ الأَيْمَنِ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَهُ الْمُؤَذِّنُ بِالإِقَامَةِ فَيَخْرُجُ مَعَهُ وَبَعْضُهُمْ يَزِيدُ عَلَى بَعْضٍ فِي الْحَدِيثِ 
Grade:Sahih (Darussalam)
(Sunan Nasai English reference: Vol. 1, Book 7, Hadith 686;Arabic reference: Book 7, Hadith 693)

Jabir reported: My father came to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, and he said, “O Messenger of Allah, there is something in the night from me. The women gather in my house and do not recite. So I pray with them eight raka’at then I perform witr prayer.” The Prophet was silent and he was somewhat pleased.
Al-Mu’jam Al-Awsat At-Tabarani 3743
عَنْ جَابِرٍ قَالَ : جَاءَ أُبَيُّ فَقَالَ : " يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ، كَانَ مِنِّي اللَّيْلَةَ شَيْءٌ إِنَّ نِسَاءً اجْتَمَعْنَ فِي دَارِي لَا يَقْرَأْنَ ، فَصَلَّيْتُ بِهِنَّ ثَمَانِيَ رَكَعَاتٍ ، ثُمَّ أَوْتَرْتُ فَسَكَتَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ، فَكَانَ شِبْهَ الرِّضَا
3743 المعجم الأوسط للطبراني


b)Proof from Hanfi Scholars

Evidence No. 1:
‘Allaamah Ainnee Hanafee – Rahimahullaah – writes the following in his book ‘Umdatul-Qaree’:“If you were to state that it is not clear in the narrations (by Imaam Bukhaaree), regarding the number of Rakaa’ah the Prophet (sal-Allaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) prayed in these nights (the three (3) nights of Ramadhaan).In response I say there is a narration from Ibn Khuzaimah and Ibn Hibbaan from the Hadeeth of Jaabir (radi-Allaahu ‘anhu) who said that:“The Prophet (sal-Allaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) prayed eight Rakaa’ah with us in the month of Ramadhaan and finished with the Witr.“
[Umdatul-Qaree Sharah Saheeh Bukhaaree, vol. 3, page 597, Egyptian print]

Evidence No. 2:
‘Allaamah Zailaee Hanafee – Rahimahullaah – has also asserted in ‘Nasbur-Rayaah Fee Takhreejer Ahadeetheer Hidaayah’:“Also Ibn Hibbaan in his Saheeh has narrated from Jaabir Ibn Abdullaah (radi-Allaahu ‘anhu) that the Prophet (sal-Allaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) prayed Eight Rakaa’ah with his Companions (radi-Allaahu ‘anhum ajma’een) in the month of Ramadhaan and finished with Witr.”
[Nasbur-Rayaah, vol. 2, page 152]

Evidence No. 3:
Imaam Muhammad – Rahimahullaah – one of the renowned students of Imaam Abu Haneefah – Rahimahullaah – has mentioned in his book ‘Muwatta’ the famous narration of Aa’ishah (radi-Allaahu ‘anhaa):“Whether it was Ramadhaan or any other month Allaah’s Messenger (sal-Allaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) did not pray more than eleven Rakaa’ah.“
[Muwatta, Imaam Muhammad, page 138]

Evidence No. 4:
Imaam Ibn Humaam – Rahimahullaah – writes in ‘Fathul-Qadeer’:“In conclusion the Qiyaam of Ramadhaan (Taraweeh) consists of eight Rakaa’ah with Jamaa’ah (congregation) as it was done by our beloved Prophet (sal-Allaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam).”[Fathul-Qadeer, Sharah Hidayaah, vol. 1, page 334]

Written in the footnote of ‘Hidaayah’ (a reliable book of the Hanafee Fiqh, vol. 1, page 96), is the following:“The ‘Sunnah’ is that which the Prophet (sal-Allaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) did regularly.”

Evidence No. 5:
‘Allaamah Mullaa Alee Qaaree Hanafee – Rahimahullaah – says:“Verily the Taraweeh prayer consists of eleven Rakaa’ah as it was the practice of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Sal-Allaahu ‘Alayhi wa sallam).”[Mirqaat Haashiyah Mishkaat, vol. 2, page 115]

After quoting this ‘Allaamah Mullaa Alee Qaaree Hanafee – Rahimahullaah – also says:“Therefore it has authentically been proven from the Prophet (Sal-Allaahu ‘Alayhi wa sallam) that he (Sal-Allaahu ‘Alayhi wa sallam) prayed Eight Rakaa’ah Taraweeh with his Companions (Radi-Allaahu ‘anhum ajma’een) and finished with the Witr.”[Mirqaat Haashiyah Mishkaat, vol. 2, page 174]

Evidence No. 6:
‘Allaamah Abdul Hayy Lucknaawee Hanafee Rahimahullaah states in his book ‘Taleequl-Mumjeed’ that:“The narration which Ibn Hibbaan has narrated in his Saheeh of Jaabir Ibn Abdullaah (Radi-Allaahu ‘anhu) that the Prophet (Sal-Allaahu ‘Alayhi wa sallam) prayed eight Rakaa’ah (Taraweeh), with his Companions in the month of Ramadhaan and finished with Witr is Very Saheeh.”
[Taleequl-Mumjeed, Sharah Muwatta, Imaam Muhammad]

Evidence No. 7:
Imaam Muhammad Ibn Nasr Marwazee – Rahimahullaah – in his book ‘Qiyaamul-Lail’:From Jaabir Ibn Abdullaah (Radi-Allaahu ‘anhu) that Ubay Ibn Ka’ab (Radi-Allaahu ‘anhu) went to the Messenger of Allaah (Sal-Allaahu ‘Alayhi wa sallam) and said:“I have done something last night (in Ramadhaan).“
The Prophet (Sal-Allaahu ‘Alayhi wa sallam), said, “What is it, Ubay?“He (Ubay Ibn Ka’ab) replied, “Some of the women in my house told me, ‘We cannot read the Qur’ân, so can you lead us in prayer?’, so I led them in eight Rakaa’ah followed by one Witr.“The Prophet (sal-Allaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) did not say anything which made it an approved Sunnah (taqreere).
[Qiyaamul-Lail, Marwazee, page 90. Al-Haythamee said about this report in Majma-Zawaaed, vol. 2, page 74, that it's Isnaad (chain) is Hasan (good)]

Evidence No. 8:
Imaam Tahaawee – Rahimahullaah – has said in ‘Ma’aaneul-Athaar’, which is considered as one of the most reliable books in Hanafee Fiqh:“Sa’eeb Ibn Yazeed has said Umar Ibn al-Khattab (Radi-Allaahu ‘anhu) commanded Ubay Ibn Ka’ab and Tameem ad-Daaree to lead the people in (Qiyaam) Taraweeh with eleven Rakaa’ah finishing with the Witr.”[Ma'aaneul-Athaar, vol. 1, page 173, and also narrated in Muwatta Imaam Maalik, page 40]

From the above narration we come to understand that the practice of the Companions of the Prophet (Sal-Allaahu ‘Alayhi wa sallam) was to pray eight Rakaa’ah Taraweeh, and also during the era of the second Caliph Umar (Radi-Allaahu ‘anhu) said or did the Sunnah of the Taraweeh prayer which was eight Rakaa’ah finishing with Witr, as it has been reported by Imaam Tahaawee – Rahimahullaah – in ‘Ma’aaneul-Athaar’.

Evidence No. 9:
Imaam Ahmad Tahtaawee – Rahimahullaah – writes:“Verily the Prophet (Sal-Allaahu ‘Alayhi wa sallam) did not pray twenty (20), but he prayed eight (8) Rakaa’ah.”
[Tahtaawee Hashiyyab, Dure - Mukhtar, vol. 1, page 295]

In the same manner ‘Allaamah Abu Saood Hanafee – Rahimahullaah – has written, in ‘Sharah Kanz’, a similar statement on page 265.

Evidence No. 10:
‘Allaamah Abul-Hasan Shurunbalaalee Hanafee – Rahimahullaah – the author of the famous Hanafee Fiqh book regarding worship ‘Noor ul-Eedhaa’ writes:“It has authentically been established that the Prophet (Sal-Allaahu ‘Alayhi wa sallam) prayed eleven Rakaa’ah with congregation finishing with the Witr.”
[Maraaqiul-Falaah Sharah Noor ul-Eedhaa, page 274]

Evidence No. 11:
Moulvi Muhammad Ahsan Nanotwi – Rahimahullaah – writes:“Because the Prophet (Sal-Allaahu ‘Alayhi wa sallam) did not pray twenty but he prayed eight Rakaa’ah.”
[(Footnote) of Kanzud - Daqaaeq, page 36]

Evidence No. 12:
Moulvi Ahmad Alee Sharanpuri – Rahimahullaah – writes:“Verily the Qiyaam (Taraweeh) of Ramadhaan is Sunnah with eleven Rakaa’ah in congregation finishing with the Witr, just as it was the practice of the Prophet (Sal-Allaahu ‘Alayhi wa sallam) in the month of Ramadhaan with congregation.”
[(Footnote) of Bukhaaree, vol. 1, page 154]

And the following has also been written:“The only authentic narration which has been proven with Saheeh Hadeeth regarding the Taraweeh prayer with the Witr is the narration of eight Rakaa’ah.”
[Ain ul-Hidayyah, page 562]

Evidence No. 13:
‘Allaamah Abdul Hayy Lucknaawee Hanafee Rahimahullaah – writes the following regarding the number of Rakaa’ah for Taraweeh:“Ibn Hibbaan and others have narrated that the Prophet (Sal-Allaahu ‘Alayhi wa sallam) in these (three) nights prayed eight Rakaa’ah with his Companions (Radi-Allaahu ‘anhum ajma’een) in congregation.”[Umdatur-Raayah, vol. 1, page 207]

And ‘Allaamah Abdul Hayy Lucknaawee Hanafee – Rahimahullaah, in ‘Taleequl-Mumjeed’ page 138, declares the above narration to be “VERY SAHEEH“.

Evidence No. 14:
One of the famous late Hanafee Scholars by the name of Moulvi Muhammad Zakareeyyah Khandelvi – Rahimahullaah, author of “Tableeghi Nisaab”, says:“According to the principles of the Muhadditheen (Scholars of Hadeeth) it has not been authentically proven in the correct manner with a ‘Marfoo’ narration, (‘elevated’, a narration from the Prophet Sal-Allaahu ‘Alayhi wa sallam), reported by a companion, successor, and others that the Prophet (sal-Allaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) prayed twenty.”[Awjazul-Masaalik Sharah Muwatta Imaam Maalik, vol. 1, page 397]

Evidence No. 15:
Noa’maan has reported,“As it has been commonly known (amongst the people) that twenty Rakaa’ah Taraweeh is the Sunnah, this is not authentically proven from the Prophet (Sal-Allaahu ‘Alayhi wa sallam). What is correct is at the time of the Prophet (Sal-Allaahu ‘Alayhi wa sallam) according to his command the practiced Sunnah was in accordance with the (famous) narration of Aa’ishah (Radi-Allaahu ‘anhaa) as it can be found in Saheeh Bukhaaree, which is:

“Whether it was Ramadhaan or any other month Allaah’s Messenger (Sal-Allaahu ‘Alayhi wa sallam) did not pray more than eleven Rakaa’ah.“Aa’ishah (Radi-Allaahu ‘anhaa) knows better than other people about the affairs of the Prophet (Sal-Allaahu ‘Alayhi wa sallam) at night.”[In Fatah Sirul-Manaan Fee Ta'eed Madhabeen-Noa'maan]

Evidence No. 16:
‘Allaamah Ibn Humaam Hanafee – Rahimahullaah – writes:“The narration which Ibn Abee Shaybah, Tabaraanee and Bayhaqee have narrated from Ibn Abbaas (Radi-Allaahu ‘anhu) that the Prophet (Sal-Allaahu ‘Alayhi wa sallam) used to pray twenty Rakaa’ah finishing with Witr in the month of Ramadhaan is ‘Da’eef’ (weak). As the narrator is Abu Shaibah Ibrahim Ibn Uthmaan who is the grandfather of Imaam Abu Bakr Ibn Abee Shaibah and he is ‘Da’eef’ (a weak narrator). Apart from this the (above) narration also contradicts the authentic narration.”
[Fathul- Qadeer Ma'aa Hidayyah, vol. 1, page 205]

Evidence No. 17:
‘Allaamah Zailaee Hanafee – Rahimahullaah – writes:“Ibn Abee Shaibah has narrated from the Hadeeth of Ibrahim Ibn Uthmaan Abu Shaibah that the Prophet (Sal-Allaahu ‘Alayhi wa sallam) used to pray twenty Rakaa’ah finishing with the Witr. This Hadeeth is Ma’lool meaning DA’EEF (weak) because it contains a narrator by the name of Abu Bakr Ibn Abee Shaibah. This narrator is DA’EEF (a weak narrator), because there is a consensus amongst all the Muhadditheen (scholars of Hadeeth) that the (above) narrator (Abu Shaibah Ibrahim Ibn Uthmaan) is Da’eef (a weak narrator).”
[Nasbur-Rayyah, vol. 2, page 153]

Evidence No. 18:
‘Allaamah Zailee Hanafee – Rahimahullaah – also says:“Ibn Adda in ‘Kamil’ has declared the (above) narration (the narration which contains Abu Shaibah Ibrahim Ibn Uthmaan) ‘Leen’ (meaning Da’eef – weak). Apart from this the (above) narration contradicts the authentic narration reported by Aa’ishah (Radi-Allaahu ‘anhaa), which is:

Abu Salmah Ibn Abdur-Rahmaan asked Aa’ishah (Radi-Allaahu ‘anhaa) about the Messenger’s (Sal-Allaahu ‘Alayhi wa sallam) prayer in Ramadhaan. She said, “Whether in was in Ramadhaan or any other month, Allaah’s Messenger did not pray more than eleven Rakaa’ah.“
[Nasbur-Rayaah, vol. 2, page 153]

Evidence No. 19:
‘Allaamah Anwar Shah Kashmiree Hanafee – Rahimahullaah – writes the following about twenty Rakaa’ah:
“What is authentically proven from the Prophet (Sal-Allaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) is the number of eight Rakaa’ah and the report that states that the Prophet (Sal-Allaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) prayed twenty has been narrated with a weak chain which makes it Da’eef (weak) and there is ‘IJMAA’ (consensus) upon its weakness.”[Al-Urfus - Shizaa, page 209]

Evidence No. 20:
From the book ‘Zuhratul Riyaadil Abraar’, chapter of Taraweeh, Issue: Eight Rakaa’ah Taraweeh:
‘Allaamah Shurunbalaalee has stated in his book ‘Maraqeeyul Falaah, Sharah Noorul Idha’ (the explanation of Noorul Idha):“To pray eight Rakaa’ah in congregation is Sunnatul Kifaayah (a Sunnah to be performed by a group of people), as it has been proven that the Prophet (Sal-Allaahu ‘Alayhi wa sallam) prayed eleven Rakaa’ah in congregation concluding with the Witr.” — ‎with ‎Saquib Bin Hamza, Ayan Khan, Saleha Fatima and 98 others‎.‎