Taraweeh, 8 or 20 rakats?

Assalamualaikum.

I have noticed that some ppl after completing 8 or so rakats of Taraweeh leave the mosq while othrs read 20. I thought that Taraweeh had 20 rakats and most ppl read that amnt. Can u pls clarify? Why do some read less and others more?

Wa alaykas Salam

Taraweeh Salaah in the month of Ramadhaan is 20 Rakaaks as was the practice of the Sahaaba and upto this day is the practice of the Jamhoor(Majority) of the Ummat. Unfortunately today a group of people who follow their desires, have emerged who claim that Taraweeh is 8 Rakaats.

It is reported by Hasan (RadhiyAllahu Anhu) that 'Umar (RadhiyAllahu Anhu) gathered the people behind Ubay Ibn Ka'b (RadhiyAllahu Anhu) who would perform 20 Rak'at with them (Sunan Abi Dawud, Vol1 Pg 202)

It is reported by Saa'ib ib Yazid (RadhiyAllahu Anhu) that the people used to perform 20 Rak'at of Taraweeh in the month of Ramadhaan during the era of Hadhrat Umar ibn Khattaab (RadhiyAllahu Anhu)
(Baihaqi-Sunanul kubra. Vol.2 Pg 496. Declared authentic by Nawawi, Iraqi & Suyuti (Rahimahumullah))

Ibnu Taymiyya (Rahimahullah) writes in his Majmu' Fatawa (Vol.22 Pg234) "This action (20 rakaat Taraweeh) of Umar (RadhiyAllahu Anhu) is Sunnah and we have been commanded by Rasulullah (Sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) to hold fast to the Sunnah of the Righteous Khulafa."

And besides this, the continuous practice in both the Haram Shareef is of 20 Rakaat. May Allah Ta'ala guide us to follow the truth and save us from the deception of Nafs and Shaytaan.

Isnt this 8, 12 rakat thing got to do with the salafi?

:sl
Doesnt the 8 rakat taraweeh got to do with those who dont follow a mazhab?

Wa alaykas Salaam brother.

You are right. This 'Fitnah' started from these people whom we call 'Ghayr Muqallideen'. Insha'Allah we intend to explain the ideologies and beliefs of this group in detail. So keep a lookout for it.

Jazakallah for ur replies Taalib. Is it only one group of ppl that do this?

According to Hanafi, shafi'i and hambali madhhab, its 20 raka'a. According to Maliki madhhab, its 36 raka'a. And according to the deviated sect of Islam, wahabis/salafi/tawheed, its 8 raka'a.