1.   Praying Qiyam in Congregation

It is allowed to pray qiyam in Ramadhaan in congregation, indeed it is better than praying individually, because this is what the Prophet (SAWS) did himself and explained its virtues. Abu Dharr (RA) said: “We fasted Ramadhaan with the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) and he did not lead us in qiyam at all until there were only seven days left, when he led us in prayer until a third of the night had passed. When there were six days left, he did not lead us in qiyam. When there were five days left, he led us in prayer until half the night had passed. I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, I wish that you had continued until the end of the night.’ He said, ‘If a man prays with the imam until he finishes, it will be counted as if he prayed the whole night.’ When there were four nights left, he did not lead us in qiyam. When there were three nights left, he brought together his family, his wives and the people, and led us in qiyam until we were afraid that we would miss al-falah. I asked, ‘What is al-falah?’ he said, ‘Suhoor (pre-dawn meal).’ Then he did not lead us in qiyam for the rest of the month.’” (Saheeh hadith)

The reason why the Prophet (SAWS) did not continually lead the people in praying qiyam in congregation was that he (SAWS) feared that it would then become obligatory, and they would not be able to do it, as is stated in the hadith of ‘Aa’ishah (RA).

Following the death of the Prophet (SAWS), that fear was no longer a factor, because Allah had completed the religion. The reason for not praying qiyam in congregation during Ramadhaan no longer applied, and the previous ruling, that congregational prayer is something prescribed in Islam, remained in effect.

When the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) died Taraweeh was not prayed in congregation, and this is how they remained during the khilafah of Abu Bakr (RA), until the beginning of the khilafah of ‘Umar (RA) who revived the practice, as is recorded in Saheeh al-Bukhari and elsewhere.

Number of Rak’ahs of Qiyam

The Messenger of Allah (SAWS) used to pray eleven rak’ahs at night. ‘Aa’ishah (RA) was asked about how he prayed in Ramadhaan. She said, “The Messenger of Allah (SAWS) never prayed more than eleven rak’ahs (of qiyam), whether during Ramadhaan or any other time. He would pray four, and don’t ask me how beautiful or how long they were. Then he would pray four, and don’t ask me how beautiful or how long they were. Then he would pray three.” (Reported by al-Bukhari, Muslim)

However there is no objection that a person may do less or more than that because the Prophet (SAWS) did that. It is authentic that he (SAWS) sometime prayed thirteen rak’ahs and the majority of his Companions after him prayed twenty three rak’ahs or more. Also when ‘Aa’ishah (RA) was asked how many rak’ahs the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) used to pray in witr? She said, “He used to pray four and three, or six and three, or ten and three rak’ahs. He never used to pray less than seven, or more than thirteen.” (Reported by Abu Dawood, Ahmad). With regard to him speaking about it, he said: “Witr is true, so whoever wishes can pray five, and whoever wishes can pray three, and whoever wishes can pray one.”