TARAWIH PRAYER IN HADITH

Sahih Buhkari
Volume 8, Book 73, Number 134:

Narrated Zaid bin Thabit:

Allah's Apostle made a small room (with a palm leaf mat). Allah's Apostle
came out (of his house) and prayed in it. Some men came and joined him in
his prayer. Then again the next night they came for the prayer, but Allah's
Apostle delayed and did not come out to them. So they raised their voices and
knocked the door with small stones (to draw his attention). He came out to
them in a state of anger, saying, "You are still insisting (on your deed, i.e.
Tarawih prayer in the mosque) that I thought that this prayer (Tarawih) might
become obligatory on you. So you people, offer this prayer at your homes,
for the best prayer of a person is the one which he offers at home, except the
compulsory (congregational) prayer."

Sahih Buhkari
Volume 9, Book 92, Number 393:

Narrated Zaid bin Thabit:

The Prophet took a room made of date palm leaves mats in the mosque.
Allah's Apostle prayed in it for a few nights till the people gathered (to pray the
night prayer (Tarawih) (behind him.) Then on the 4th night the people did not
hear his voice and they thought he had slept, so some of them started
humming in order that he might come out. The Prophet then said, "You
continued doing what I saw you doing till I was afraid that this (Tarawih
prayer) might be enjoined on you, and if it were enjoined on you, you would
not continue performing it. Therefore, O people! Perform your prayers at
your homes, for the best prayer of a person is what is performed at his
home except the compulsory congregational) prayer." (See Hadith No.
229,Vol. 3) (See Hadith No. 134, Vol. 8)

Sahih Muslim
Book 004, Number 1666:

'A'isha reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) prayed
one night in the mosque and people also prayed along with him. He then
prayed on the following night and there were many persons. Then on the third
or fourth night (many people) gathered there, but the Messenger of Allah (may
peace be upon him) did not come out to them (for leading the Tarawih
prayer). When it was morning he said: I saw what you were doing, but I
desisted to come to you (and lead the prayer) for I feared that this prayer
might become obligatory for you. (He the narrator) said: It was the month of
Ramadan.

Sahih Muslim
Book 004, Number 1667:

'A'isha reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) came out
during the night and observed prayer in the mosque and some of the people
prayed along with him. When it was morning the people talked about this and
so a large number of people gathered there. The Messenger of Allah (may
peace be upon him) went out for the second night, and they (the people)
prayed along with him. When it was morning the people began to talk about it.
So the mosque thronged with people on the third night. He (the Holy Prophet)
came out and they prayed along with him. When it was the fourth night, the
mosque was filled to its utmost capacity but the Messenger of Allah (may
peace be upon him) did not come out. Some persons among then cried:"
Prayer." But the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) did not come to
them till he came out for the morning prayer. When he had completed the
morning prayer, he turned his face to the people and recited Tashahhud (I
bear testimony that there is no god but Allah and I bear testimony that
Muhammad is His Messenger) and then said: Your affair was not hidden from
me in the night, but I was afraid that (my observing prayer continuously) might
make the night prayer obligatory for you and you might be unable to perform
it.

Sunan Abu Dawood

Book 8, Number 1424:

Narrated Ubayy ibn Ka'b:

Al-Hasan reported: Umar ibn al-Khattab gathered the people (in tarawih
prayer) behind Ubayy ibn Ka'b (who led them). He used to lead them for
twenty days (during Ramadan, and would not recite the supplication except in
the second half of it (i.e. Ramadan). When the last ten days remained, he kept
away from them, and prayed in his house. They used to say: Ubayy ran away.