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Taraweeh: the night prayer of Ramadan and how to pray it
Taraweeh are the voluntary prayers performed every night of Ramadan after isha, often in congregation at the mosque.
How to pray taraweeh
- First pray isha and its sunnah.
- Make the intention in your heart: to pray taraweeh (qiyam of Ramadan).
- Pray two rak‘ahs like an ordinary prayer, then the salam.
- Repeat up to 8 or 20 rak‘ahs, resting briefly every four rak‘ahs.
- Finish with the witr prayer (1 or 3 rak‘ahs).
Why it is called taraweeh
Taraweeh comes from the word rahah, “rest”: worshippers rested after each set of four rak‘ahs, because the recitation was long. The Prophet ﷺ prayed it in congregation for a few nights, then stopped for fear it would become obligatory (Sahih al-Bukhari, 2012). ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab later gathered the people behind a single imam.
The most important nights
The last ten nights of Ramadan are the most precious, because they contain the Night of Decree (Laylat al-Qadr), better than a thousand months. The Prophet ﷺ would then increase his efforts and wake his family (Sahih al-Bukhari, 2024). See also the dua of the last ten nights and the Quran reading plan for Ramadan.
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You may be wondering…
How many rak‘ahs is taraweeh?
Both practices are valid. ‘Aishah reported that the Prophet ﷺ did not exceed 11 rak‘ahs at night, witr included (Sahih al-Bukhari, 1147). In the time of ‘Umar, people prayed 20 rak‘ahs, the view of the Hanafi, Shafi‘i and Hanbali schools. What matters is the quality of the prayer.
When is taraweeh prayed?
After the isha prayer and before fajr. The first taraweeh takes place on the evening before the first day of fasting. See the prayer times.
Can taraweeh be prayed at home?
Yes, alone or with family. Praying in congregation at the mosque is recommended, but praying at home remains valid and rewarded. Pray two rak‘ahs at a time, then the witr.
Is taraweeh obligatory?
No, it is a strongly recommended sunnah. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever prays during the nights of Ramadan out of faith and seeking reward, his past sins will be forgiven” (Sahih al-Bukhari, 37).
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