Shaykh Muḥammad Nāṣir al-Dīn al-Albānī explains that dividing Tarāwīḥ prayer into two sessions during the last ten nights of Ramaḍān is an innovation. He advises performing Tarāwīḥ early after ʿIshāʾ, following the practice of ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb, and avoiding the newly established division.
What is said about what is happening now in the last 10 days of Ramaḍān – meaning, the prayer is divided into the first part and the last part of the night, and now this has become a permanent practice?
(Its an) Innovation.
How is it done? – meaning, we wish that we establish the Sunnah and [at the same time] make it easy for the people. So how can we do that?
Perform it early as ʿUmar ibn al-Khattāb stated and delaying it is better – meaning he commanded ʿUbayd bin Ka’b to establish the prayer with the people after the ʿIsha Prayer, so he did and when ʿUmar went out [to the masjid], he said ‘What a good innovation this is, but the prayer that they forgot about and sleep is better [than the one they are offering].
So it should remain the way it was before the last ten day?
Yes.
