Ramadan is the month of the Qur’an, fasting, and qiayam (staying in late night vigilance praying). Ramadan comes to Muslims with mercy, release from sins, patience, and spiritual nourishment and hygiene. Fasting in Ramadan is not a punishment but a way to perfect our behavior, to sharpen our sense of responsibility, and to be more united. One of the distinguished features of Ramadan is Tarawih prayer which is one of the Sunnan of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
In his response to this issue, the eminent Muslim scholar and renowned Da`iyah, Sheikh `Abdel Khaliq Hasan Ash-Shareef, states:
“Tarawih prayer in that case is valid according to some scholars even if the Imam forgets to make prostration of forgetfulness for what he did. He should not repeat the prayer. This would apply to all nafl prayer if the imam forgets and observed four instead of two. Then he can either make prostration of forgetfulness according to the majority of scholars, or according to some others, he must not make prostration. Anyway, what the Imam did by praying four will Insha Allah be tolerated ”
May Allah accept our fasting and make us among those who have been saved against Hell-Fire. Amen.