Obligatory Isha prayers are followed by these highly revered optional night prayers, wherein the believers recite long portions of the Quran throughout the month in reverence during the nights of Ramadan.
Though optional, performing Taraweeh is a highly recommended practice, a highly rewarding one, though.
In this article, we will discuss what Taraweeh prayers signify, their history, how they are performed, and what spiritual benefits they grant.
This discussion serves both beginners, who want to understand the basics, and serious practitioners, who seek to deepen their relationship with this most beautiful act of worship, giving necessary insight to the Taraweeh experience.
A Step-By-Step Guide for Performing the Taraweeh Prayers
In Ramadan, the Taraweeh prayer is performed after the obligatory Isha prayer. Here’s how to perform them step by step:
Step One: Setting Up the Prayer Be in a state of wudu. Put on clean and tidy clothes that are going to be decent for prayer.
If at home, try to find a quiet and clean place for your prayer, or go to the mosque if you want to pray in congregation.
Step Two: Performing the Prayer of Isha Taraweeh prayers are offered after the…. As normally, pray 4 rak’ahs of Isha and then 2 rak’ahs of Sunnah.
Step 3: Niya for Taraweeh: Make the niyyah in your heart as follows: “I intend to offer Taraweeh prayers for the sake of Allah.” There is no specific verbal niyyah.
Step 4: Pray Taraweeh: Two rak’ahs each. It is prayed in sets of two rak’ahs, as per the usual method of prayer. Takbir shall conclude after every two rak’ahs with Tasleem (saying Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah to both sides).
Step 5: Number of rak’ahs: The practice is generally to pray either 8 or 20 rak’ahs, though even numbers can vary according to one’s ability. If praying in a mosque, follow the number the imam leads.
Step 6: Recitation in Taraweeh: Surah Al-Fatiha must be recited in every rak’ah, along with another surah or part of the Quran. The imam in mosques usually reads long portions to complete the Quran over the month.
Step 7: Rest between four rak’ahs: Some traditions maintain that there is a small break after every four rak’ahs (Taraweeh) for dua or to take a rest.
Step 8: Ending with Witr: Upon completion of Taraweeh, the night prayers are completed with Witr, usually with 3 rak’ahs, prayed in one or two sittings. The Witr prayer would be the Qunoot (a supplication) which is usually made in the last rak’ah.
Step 9: Dua and reflection: After the prayer is finished, take your time in making personal dua and asking Allah for forgiveness and blessings. Ramadan bears a lot of rewards, so use this time wisely by making dhikr (the remembrance of Allah).
This is everything that Taraweeh prayers are all about, be at home or the mosque with all your love and faith. May Allah accept your prayers and grant you the full blessings of Ramadan!
How Many Rak’ahs of Taraweeh Should You Pray: 8 or 20?
Most Muslims ask how many rak’ahs to pray in Taraweeh. Should it be 8 rak’ahs as others do or 20 rak’ahs, as is the practice in most mosques? Here is how you may decide.
The Evidence for 8 Rak’ahs Some scholars believed the Prophet ﷺ prayed 8 rak’ahs of night prayer (Tahajjud/Qiyam) based on Aisha’s (RA) narration: “The Prophet never prayed more than eleven rak’ahs (including Witr) in Ramadan or outside of it” (Bukhari, Muslim).
Many interpret this as being the easy way out for those who might find it difficult to pray longer prayers.
The Evidence for 20 Rak’ahs During the time of Caliph Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA), he assembled the people to pray 20 rak’ahs in a congregation (Malik, Bayhaqi).
This has been the widely practiced norm in mosques for centuries from the Hanafi, Shafi’i, and Hanbali schools.
Many scholars considered the practice of 20 rak’ahs to be the more complete way of emulating the Sunnah of both the Prophet ﷺ and his companions.
Which One Should You Pray? Both options are valid. Taraweeh is a voluntary prayer, so praying any number of rak’ahs in multiples of two is good.
One may wish to pray 8 rak’ahs if a shorter prayer is preferred during that point in the night and is rewarded for that. If one has extra energy and time, the practice would be to pray the 20 rak’ahs because this has been done by most and entails extra effort and reward.
The Bottom Line There is no fixed number for Taraweeh; choose as you are capable. What is more essential is praying with sincerity with the intent of having Allah bless him in Ramadan.
Is It Better to Perform the Taraweeh Prayers in the Mosque or at Home?
However, praying Taraweeh either at home or in the mosque has its own benefits; choosing the best option is based on individual circumstances. Here’s a comparison that would help you decide:
Praying Taraweeh in the Mosque
Pros:
- A very good sense of community-the essence of praying with others unites and thus nurtures the motivation.
- Led by an imam-proper recitation and covering nearly the entire Quran during Ramadan.
- More rewards-congregational prayers are more rewarding in Islam.
- Less distraction-the atmosphere aids concentration and consistency.
Cons: This might be challenging for those with busy schedules or poor health or family. Sometimes, traveling to the mosque might not be easy for some.
Praying Taraweeh at Home
Pros:
- Easier for those with little kids, elderly, or busy schedules.
- At one’s own pace, which is comfortable and personalized.
He followed the model of the Prophet ﷺ; sometimes he prayed at home to show this as an option.
Can be a bonding moment for the family and encourage the kids to join.
Cons:
- Discipline is needed to remain consistent.
- Some people will feel difficulty reciting without an imam leading them.
- Does not have that spiritual feel of being in a mosque.
Which One Is Better?
In case you can do it, Taraweeh in a mosque is highly recommended, considering the extra rewards of praying in the congregation. But when personal realities make it difficult, prayers done at home are indeed greatly rewarded and valid.
Yesterday, we showed you a long comparison of Taraweeh in a mosque versus Taraweeh at home.
Finally, according to you, the real spirit lies in praying sincerely and consistently wherever one prays- Taraweeh or Eid or five daily prayers! May Allah accept your prayers and efforts during Ramadan!
Can You Pray Taraweeh Without Witr?
There is no harm in praying Taraweeh without Witr, but it is advisable to end with Witr. The link between Taraweeh and Witr Traditionally, during Ramadan, Taraweeh is the name of the prayer prayed in sets of two rak’ahs after the Isha prayer.
Witr is a prayer performed in odd numbers (normally one, three, or more rak’ahs). It’s one of highly encouraged, yet non-obligatory prayers.
The Prophet ﷺ emphasized the concluding prayer of the night should be Witr by saying: “Make your last prayer of the night Witr.” (Bukhari, Muslim) Can You Skip Witr? If, after Taraweeh in the mosque, you intend to pray more at home, you can postpone Witr until the end of the night.
Witr is not sinful if you miss it, but failing to do so means you missed the reward. If you sleep through Witr by accident, however, you may make it up the next day.
“The Conclusion Witr cannot be made compulsory but is one of the highly emphasized prayers to end one’s night prayers with so one can earn extra blessings and rewards. If the Witr is missed for some reason, Taraweeh would still be valid and accepted, InshaAllah.”
Conclusion
The Taraweeh prayers, performed during Ramadan, are one of the most beloved forms of worship that prioritized such prayers throughout the years, giving Muslims the great opportunity to uplift their faith, further be in touch with the Holy Quran, and ask for Allah’s mercy.
Watch it at home or the mosque-8 or 20 rak’ahs-it does not matter as long as one is sincere and consistent in prayers.
Just like in the course of the guideline contained in this guide, they are performed with the devotion and the understanding that they have; whether eight or twenty-two rak’ahs or perhaps a completion with Witr, the essence will be to bring a person nearer to Allah and hence avail to the fullest extent from the spiritual journey of that blessed month.
May Allah accept our prayers forgive our sins and bless us to be able to utilize this ray of Ramadan. Ameen.
