[Section: The Rāfidī’s thirteenth claim—that he introduced Tarāwīh prayers as an innovation—and the response to it]

Section

The Rāfidī said (1):

“Thirteenth: He introduced Tarāwīh prayers as an innovation, even though the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said: ‘O people (2), offering voluntary night prayers in congregation during Ramadan is an innovation, and the midmorning prayer is an innovation. A little (3) in accordance with the Sunnah is better than much involving innovation. Indeed, every innovation is misguidance, and every misguidance leads to the Fire.’ Umar went out one night during Ramadan and saw lamps in the mosques. He asked, ‘What is this?’ He was told, ‘The people have gathered to offer voluntary prayers.’ He said, ‘An innovation—and what an excellent (4) innovation!’ Thus, he acknowledged that it was an innovation.”

The response is this: Among the groups of innovation and misguidance, none has been seen more brazen than this Rāfidī group in fabricating lies about the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—attributing to him words he never uttered, and displaying utter shamelessness in lying. If some among them do not know that these are lies, then their ignorance is extreme, as has been said:

If you do not know, that is a calamity;
If you do know, the calamity is greater.