Why Hz. Umar changed 8 rakah taraweeh to 20 rakah?

The adjustment from 8 rak'ahs of Taraweeh prayer to 20 rak'ahs is attributed to the practice established during the caliphate of Hz. Umar ibn al-Khattab. According to historical accounts, Hz. Umar observed that the companions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ were praying Taraweeh in separate groups, leading him to gather them together to pray in congregation. He believed that a unified prayer would enhance the community's devotion and provide a more organized approach to the nightly prayers during Ramadan.

In Sahih al-Bukhari, it is noted that the prayer was set at two rak'ahs, then the Prophet emigrated, and it was established at four. The travel prayer was left at the former number. Sahih al-Bukhari 63:160SunniSAHIH This illustrates that the Prophet ﷺ initially established specific rak'ah counts, and Hz. Umar's decision was a response to the evolving practice of the community rather than a direct alteration of the Prophet's original setting.

This decision was made with the intention of facilitating worship, as Hz. Umar wanted the congregation to have a prayer format that could be consistently followed and that would encourage more people to participate. The practice of 20 rak'ahs during Taraweeh became widely accepted and is maintained in many Muslim communities to this day.