What is Ramadan Taraweeh in Islam: How & When to Perform It?

The word Taraweeh is derived from the Arabic word rauh or raha which means to take a rest.

Taraweeh is a voluntary prayer performed each night during Ramadan following the evening prayer, Isha. These prayers are also called Qiyam-ul-Layl (night prayers) because they can be performed until midnight.

Many believe that those who perform Taraweeh consistently throughout Ramadan will be greatly rewarded and have their sins forgiven.

Let’s dive into the details of Taraweeh and what are the timings and way of performing Taraweeh:

History of Taraweeh

In the last year of the Prophet’s (PBUH) life, He came out one night and led the Taraweeh salah, with a few people joining him. The next night, word spread, and a larger group prayed with him. Even more gathered on the third night. By the fourth night, the mosque was full, and the people eagerly awaited the Prophet’s (PBUH) arrival.

During Abu Bakr's (RA) time and the start of Umar's (RA) leadership, people prayed Taraweeh alone or in small groups. Later, Umar (RA) gathered everyone to pray together behind one imam. They started with 8 Rakat but later increased it to 20 Rakat to better serve the people's needs.

For those in Itikaf, joining Taraweeh in the congregation amplifies their blessings, enriching the spiritual rewards of their sacred retreat.

Significance of Taraweeh

Taraweeh is strongly encouraged in Islamic tradition. Mosques worldwide hold community Tarawih prayers for men and women every night during Ramadan. 

Voluntary night prayers can be classified into two categories: 

Qiyam al-Layl

Qiyam al-Layl, meaning 'standing at night,' refers to all voluntary prayers offered between Isha and Fajr. Performing Qiyam al-Layl on Laylatul-Qadr (Night of Decree) brings increased rewards and blessings. The importance of Qiyam al-Layl during Ramadan is often highlighted through the concept of Taraweeh. 

Tahajjud 

Tahajjud refers specifically to prayers offered after waking from sleep. It can be performed during Ramadan or any other Islamic month. This powerful prayer carries immense blessings, and sincere requests made to Allah (SWT) are often granted.

Imam Ibn Kathir explains that Allah instructed His Messenger (PBUH) to perform the night prayer after the important prayers. The term Tahajjud specifically refers to prayers offered after one has awakened from sleep. This view is supported by scholars such as Alqamah, Al-Aswad, and Ibrahim An-Nakhai.

Surah al-Muzzammil was revealed during the early period of Islam, before the obligation of the five daily prayers. This made Tahajjud mandatory for all. On Miraj (Ascension) night, the five daily prayers became mandatory, and Tahajjud was no longer needed.

Nevertheless, the Prophet (PBUH) continued to observe Tahajjud regularly. This demonstrates that once a Prophet of Allah begins a good deed, they do not abandon it.

Qiyam al-Layl serves as a powerful practice for the heart. Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-Aas narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said, 

“Whoever recites 10 ayat during Qiyam will not be considered forgetful. Reciting 100 ayat will categorize one as devout. In contrast, reciting 1,000 ayat will place them among the muqantareen (those who accumulate good deeds).

(Abu Dawud) 

The muqantareen are promised a qintar of reward. This is a significant amount of gold, often interpreted by Arabic scholars as equivalent to four thousand dinars.

Virtues of offering Tarawih in the congregation

The Prophet (PBUH) said, 

“Whoever prays qiyam with the imam until he finishes, Allah will record for him the qiyam of an entire night.” 

(Sunan an-Nasa'i: 1605)

So, stay until the Imam finishes, even if he prays 20 or 36 rakat!

When deciding between praying in a congregation at the beginning of the night and praying alone at the end, it is preferable to join the congregation. This allows for communal worship and support. 

Congregational prayers foster unity and provide a sense of community. This is considered equivalent to having prayed the entire night. This practice was followed by the Companions during Umar Ibn al Khattab's (RA) time. 

How to Pray Taraweeh?

The following are sunnah steps to perform Taraweeh:

1. Standing (Qiyam): Stand upright with humility and focus, ready to begin the prayer.
   
2. Intention for Prayer: Formulate the intention in your heart to perform Taraweeh for the sake of Allah.
   
3. Opening Takbeer: Raise your hands and say "Allahu Akbar" to enter the state of prayer.
   
4. Looking at the Place of Prostration: Keep your gaze fixed on the ground where you will prostrate.
   
5. Reciting Opening Dua: Offer a short Istiftah supplication seeking Allah’s blessings at the beginning of your prayer.
   
6. Reciting Taawudh: Say "A'udhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-Rahim" to seek refuge in Allah from the devil.
   
7. Reciting Tasmiyah: Say "Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim" before starting the Surah to invoke Allah’s name.
   
8. Reciting Surah al-Fatiha: Recite the opening chapter of the Quran, which is essential in every unit of prayer.
   
9. Reciting Additional Quran Verses: Follow Surah al-Fatiha with another passage or Surah from the Quran.
   
10. Bowing (Rukoo): Bend at the waist, keeping your back straight, while saying "Subhana Rabbiyal Adheem" (Glory is to my Lord, the Most Great).
    
11. Raising from Bowing: Stand upright again, saying "Sami’ Allahu liman Hamidah" (Allah hears the one who praises Him).
    
12. Prostration (Sujud): Go down to the ground, placing your forehead, nose, palms, knees, and toes on the floor while praising Allah.
    
13. Sitting Between Prostrations: Sit on your legs and say “O Allah, forgive me” before going into the second prostration.
    
14. Second Prostration: Repeat the prostration to complete the unit of prayer.
    
15. Tashahhud (Testimony of Faith): After completing two units, sit and recite the Tashahhud, affirming your faith.
    
16. Ending the Prayer (Tasleem): Conclude the prayer by turning your head to the right and then to the left. Say "Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah" to greet those around you and signify the end of your prayer.

Note: Taraweeh is performed in sets of two rakahs each, following the same method as regular prayer. After Surah Al-Fatiha, it is customary for the Imam to recite the Quran in each rakah, aiming to complete the Quran by the end of Ramadan.

Reciting the Quran in Taraweeh

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) did not set a specific limit for reciting from the Quran during qiyam (night prayer). This applies to both Ramadan and other times.

His (PBUH) recitation varied in length; sometimes he recited around 20 verses per rakah and other times around 50. He advised that whoever reads 100 verses at night will not be among the negligent while reading 200 marks one as devout.

In longer prayers, the Prophet sometimes recited the "seven long surahs" in a single night. Hudhayfah ibn al-Yamaan noted that during one rakah, he heard the Prophet recite al-Baqarah, al-Nisa, and Aal Imraan slowly and thoughtfully. 

When praying alone, a person may pray for as long as they like. 

However, an imam leading others should consider the congregation’s needs, keeping the prayer manageable, as the Prophet (PBUH) advised, 

“If any of you leads the people in prayer, let him make it short. Among them are the young and the elderly, the weak, and those with pressing needs.”

Rakah of Taraweeh

The majority of hadith scholars recommend 8 rakat plus 3 witr for Taraweeh. Imam Ahmad, Imam Abu Hanifah, and Imam Ash-Shafii suggest 20 rakat plus 3 witr, while Imam Malik recommends 36 rakat plus 3 witr.

Taraweeh Dua

There is no foundation in the Sunnah for reciting a du’a between the two salams during the Taraweeh prayer by saying 

“Subhanaka Rabbana wa bi hamdika Allahumma ighfir Lana (Glory and praise be to You, our Lord; O Allah, forgive us).” 

Neither the imam nor the congregation is required to do so. The principles of worship dictate that only actions prescribed by the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) are permissible.

When is Taraweeh Performed?

Taraweeh prayer times start after the Isha and end until Fajr.

If you have to choose between praying with others at the beginning of the night or praying alone at the end, it's better to pray with the group. This is because praying in a congregation is counted as if one had prayed the entire night.

Taraweeh for Women

Women can perform Taraweeh at home. They are also encouraged to attend the group prayers at the mosque. It is permissible to appoint a separate imam for them, distinct from the imam leading the men. 

For example, when Umar (RA) arranged the qiyam prayers, he chose Ubayy ibn Ka`b to lead the men and Sulaymaan ibn Abi Hathmah (RA) to lead the women.

Arfajah al-Thaqafi reported,  

“Ali ibn Abi Taalib (RA) would instruct the people to offer night prayer during Ramadan. He (RA) used to appoint one imam for the men and another for the women, and I was the imam for the women.”

Women can pray Taraweeh individually while reading from the Quran. There is no requirement for them to memorize the Quran.

Benefits of Taraweeh

Like Suhoor and Iftar, Taraweeh holds special importance in Ramadan, bringing spiritual and physical benefits.

Spiritual Benefits

Here are some spiritual benefits of Taraweeh prayers:

1. Enhanced Spiritual Connection: Taraweeh prayers provide an opportunity for Muslims to strengthen their connection with Allah during Ramadan.
2. Increased Forgiveness: Engaging in Taraweeh prayers is believed to bring immense rewards and forgiveness for past sins.
3. Greater Awareness of the Quran: The prayers involve the recitation of longer portions of the Quran. It fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of its teachings.
4. Unity and Community Spirit: Praying in congregation fosters a sense of community and brotherhood among participants.
5. Cultivation of Patience and Discipline: The commitment to perform Taraweeh regularly during Ramadan instills patience and self-discipline. These are essential virtues in Islam.

Physical Benefits

Here are some physical benefits of Taraweeh prayers:

1. Improved Physical Fitness: The physical movements involved in the prayers, such as standing, bowing, and prostrating.
2. Stress Relief: The act of praying can be a source of stress relief. It promotes mental well-being and emotional stability.
3. Increased Endurance: Regularly participating in Taraweeh can help improve stamina and endurance.
4. Boosted Immune Function: Engaging in physical activity, such as prayer, can enhance immune function and overall health. This helps the body fight off illness.
5. Better Sleep Quality: After Taraweeh prayer, individuals often enjoy a more restful sleep.

In conclusion, Taraweeh is a significant aspect and beautiful tradition of Ramadan that embodies spiritual devotion and community unity. Its rich history and inclusion of women highlight the importance of this nightly prayer during the holy month.

It's essential to know how and when to perform this night prayer. There are also different opinions of the Islamic school of thought about the Taraweeh rakah. However maximum is 36 or 20 and the minimum is 8 with an odd number of witr. 

Whether performed in congregation or individually, Taraweeh offers numerous benefits, enhancing one’s connection to Allah and fostering a sense of discipline. Importantly, this prayer is inclusive, welcoming participation from women, thereby reinforcing the communal spirit of worship. 

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