Why Umar (r.a) said praying taraweeh in jamaah was "good bidah"?

Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) expressed that praying Taraweeh in congregation is a "good bidah" based on his observations of how people were praying during Ramadan. As narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari, he noted that one night, when he went to the mosque, the people were scattered in groups, some praying individually and others praying behind different reciters. Umar commented, "I think it would be better if they gathered to follow one reciter." He then arranged for them to follow Abu ibn Ka'b. On another occasion, he saw that the people were praying behind their chosen reciter, and he stated, This innovation is better than what they do when they sleep, referring to those who stand in the latter part of the night. The people used to pray at the beginning of the night Sahih al-Bukhari 31:3SunniSAHIH.

This demonstrates that Umar recognized the benefit of organizing the prayers to enhance collective worship and ensure that the congregation could follow the same recitation, which he deemed more effective than the disorganized manner of prayer that had been occurring. His use of the term "good bidah" indicates that while innovation in religious matters is generally approached with caution, he saw this particular practice as beneficial for the community during Ramadan.