TARAWEEH IS EIGHT RAKAA'AH ACCORDING TO THE HANAFEE SCHOLARS
Author: Shaykh Abdul-Jaleel Samroodee Source: Extracts from his Risaalah on Taraweeh Translator: Abu Khuzaimah and Abu Hibbaan Published: 24th September 2002

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]