Praying eight rak‘as of tarawih

Question

Many people of the Hanafi madhhab have been so influenced by the Ahl-e Hadith that they have begun praying eight rak‘as of tarawih. If there is a likelihood that, if they are forbidden, they will abandon even these eight rak‘as, how should they be dealt with?

Answer

According to the Hanafis, twenty rak‘as are sunna; by praying eight this sunna will not be fulfilled. Those who have obstinacy in their nature should not be told anything; rather, du‘a for their good should be made.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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