LECTURE SERIES: QIYAMUL LAYL (THE NIGHT PRAYER)
Assalamu Alaikum.
Qiyamul layl is the night prayer. It is not confined to Ramadan as some mistakenly believe. In Ramadan though, we obviously do pray more than in the other months.
Here’s a nice video series by Brother Abu Taubah where he explains Brother Muhammad Jibaly’s book “Qiyaaul Layl”:
[Note: Regarding the issue of taraweeh being 8 or 20 rakaahs, I believe that this series takes the 8 rakaah side, if I’m not mistaken and that’s fine. However, there are also many scholars that permitted praying more than 8, saying that the Prophet (salallahu alaihi wasallam) left it open. Some scholars would even pray 100 rakaahs at night!
Also, the reason the early scholars would pray more than 8 is so that there would be more sajdahs and rukoos. Also, this way the older people would stand less. They didn’t do it so that we could pray a REALLY short 8 rakaah taraweeh in order to go shopping. (I used to do that before and I know that many people still do this!)]