Taraweeh Prayer Explained

The Taraweeh prayer is a special, voluntary night prayer performed by Muslims during the month of Ramadan. It is a deeply rooted practice in the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, offered after the obligatory Isha prayer and consists of multiple units (rakʿahs), typically performed in congregation at the mosque, though it may also be prayed individually at home.

The Prophetic Foundation

The Taraweeh prayer originates from the practice of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, who led his Companions in night prayers during Ramadan, though he later refrained from continuous congregation out of concern that it might become obligatory. The evidence for this is found in authentic hadith:

The Prophet ﷺ said: "I feared that the night prayer (Qiyam) might be made obligatory upon you and you would not be able to perform it."

Number of Rakʿahs and Method

The number of rakʿahs for Taraweeh has been a matter of scholarly discussion, but the strongest evidence points to 11 rakʿahs, as practiced by the Prophet ﷺ. The Companion Umm al-Muʾminin Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated:

"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ never prayed more than eleven rakʿahs in Ramadan or in any other month."

However, the practice of the Companions, including the Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), established twenty rakʿahs, which is widely accepted across many schools of thought. The Prophet ﷺ said:

"Whoever stands (in prayer) during the nights of Ramadan with faith and seeking reward, his previous sins will be forgiven."

The Virtue and Reward

The Taraweeh prayer holds immense virtue, as it is a form of Qiyam al-Layl (night prayer). The Prophet ﷺ encouraged its observance, promising forgiveness of sins for those who perform it with sincerity. This is further emphasized in another narration:

The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever stands (in prayer) in Ramadan with faith and hope of reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven."

The Quranic basis for night prayer is found in the following verse:

"Establish regular prayers - at the sun's decline till the darkness of the night, and the morning prayer and reading: for the prayer and reading in the morning carry their testimony."

Congregation vs. Individual Performance

The Prophet ﷺ initially led the Taraweeh in congregation but later discontinued it to avoid it becoming obligatory. After his passing, the Caliph Umar revived the congregational practice, as recorded in authentic sources:

عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ عَبْدٍ الْقَارِيِّ, أَنَّهُ قَالَ: خَرَجْتُ مَعَ عُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ لَيْلَةً فِي رَمَضَانَ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ، فَإِذَا النَّاسُ أَوْزَاعٌ مُتَفَرِّقُونَ يُصَلِّي الرَّجُلُ لِنَفْسِهِ، وَيُصَلِّي الرَّجُلُ فَيُصَلِّي بِصَلَاتِهِ الرَّهْطُ. فَقَالَ عُمَرُ: "إِنِّي أَرَى لَوْ جَمَعْتُ هَؤُلَاءِ عَلَى قَارِئٍ وَاحِدٍ لَكَانَ أَمْثَلَ". ثُمَّ عَزَمَ فَجَمَعَهُمْ عَلَى أُبَيِّ بْنِ كَعْبٍ. ثُمَّ خَرَجْتُ مَعَهُ لَيْلَةً أُخْرَى وَالنَّاسُ يُصَلُّونَ بِصَلَاةِ قَارِئِهِمْ. قَالَ عُمَرُ: "نِعْمَتِ الْبِدْعَةُ هَذِهِ".

Scholars agree that performing Taraweeh in congregation is encouraged, but praying it individually at home is also permissible and carries reward. The Prophet ﷺ said:

"The best prayer of a man is in his house, except for the obligatory prayer."

Timing and Completion

Taraweeh begins after the Isha prayer and continues until before the Fajr prayer. The Prophet ﷺ emphasized completion of the Quran during these prayers, a tradition upheld in many mosques worldwide. The time for this prayer is flexible, as noted in the following verse:

"When you have finished the Prayer, remember Allah -standing, and sitting, and reclining. And when you become secure, perform the regular Prayer. The Prayer is enjoined upon the believers at stated times."

A Final Note on Sincerity

The Taraweeh prayer is a gift from Allah to the believers, offering an opportunity to draw closer to Him, seek forgiveness, and experience the spiritual sweetness of night worship during Ramadan. The Prophet ﷺ said:

"The best of prayers after the obligatory (prayers) is the night prayer."

Sources

• Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 32: "Prayer at Night (Qiyam)", Hadith 1129 — https://sunnah.com/bukhari/32/1129
• Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 19: "Prayer at Night (Qiyam)", Hadith 1147 — https://sunnah.com/bukhari/19/1147
• Jami` at-Tirmidhi, Book 2: "Prayer", Hadith 810 — https://sunnah.com/tirmidhi/2/810
• Sunan an-Nasa'i, Book 20: "Qiyam al-Layl (The Night Prayer)", Hadith 1605 — https://sunnah.com/nasai/20/1605
• Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 32: "Prayer at Night", Hadith 2010 — https://sunnah.com/bukhari/32/2010
• Sahih Muslim, Book 6: "Prayer (Kitab al-Salat)", Hadith 777 — https://sunnah.com/muslim/6/777
• Sunan Ibn Majah, Book 5: "Establishing the Prayer", Hadith 1328 — https://sunnah.com/ibnmajah/5/1328
• Quran 17:78 — https://quran.com/17/78
• Quran 4:103 — https://quran.com/4/103