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The Complete Guide to Tarawīh Prayer

Contents

Introduction: Embrace Ramadan’s Nightly Gift

Tarawīh prayer is not merely a ritual—it is a divine invitation to deepen your connection with Allah during Ramadan. More than an act of worship, it is a transformative practice of Qiyām al-Layl (night prayer) that melds devotion, reflection, and community. As the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

“Whoever stands (in prayer) during the nights of Ramadan with faith and seeking reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Hadith 37 & Muslim)

This guide combines scholarly tradition with practical wisdom and heartfelt inspiration to help you unlock Tarawīh’s blessings.

Historical Roots: Unity in Worship

  • Prophetic Era: The Prophet ﷺ initially prayed Tarawīh sporadically in congregation, carefully avoiding its transformation into an obligatory practice. His ﷺ gentle approach laid the foundation for its esteemed Sunnah status..
  • ʿUmar’s (RA) Legacy of Unity: Under the caliphate of ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb (RA), the community was united by following one Imām for 20 rakʿahs, fostering a sense of collective spirituality and shared devotion—a practice that remains a cornerstone of Ramadhan nights.

Rulings & Fiqh: Clarity with Compassion

1. Status & Reward

  • Sunnah Muʾakkadah: Tarawīh is a cherished practice—not obligatory, yet immensely rewarding. Begin each prayer  with a clear niyyah (intention), recognising that this prayer stands apart from your regular Isha Prayer.

2. Number of Rakʿahs: Follow Tradition

  • 20 Rakʿahs: The majority (Hanafi, Maliki, Hanbali) follow ʿUmar’s (RA) precedent of 20 rakʿahs however some only offer 8.
  • Key Principle: For communal harmony follow your mosque’s practice.

3. Congregational Prayer vs. Individual Practice

Men:

  • Congregational prayer is emphasized—experience the unity and amplified rewards of praying together.

Women:

  • While home is ideal, attending the mosque is permissible when it can be done with dignity and ease.

4. Timing & Etiquette

  • When to Pray: Tarawīh is performed after ʿIshāʾ and before Fajr. Once missed, Tarawīh cannot be made up the following day, though voluntary (nafl) prayers remain open.
  • Breaks for Reflection/Tarawih Dua: Every 4 rakʿahs, pause to recite the Tarawīh Duʿā or engage in heartfelt supplication. This break not only grants rest but is a sacred moment to internalise Allah’s majesty and mercy.

5. Tarawih Duʿā

  • Must stand if able; sitting without a valid excuse is Makrūh (disliked).
  • Maintain attentiveness and humility during standing.The Prophet ﷺ said: 

    “Make Witr your last prayer at night.”
    (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Hadith 998)

سُبْحَانَ ذِي الْمُلْكِ وَالْمَلَكُوتِ
سُبْحَانَ ذِي الْعِزَّةِ وَالْعَظَمَةِ وَالْهَيْبَةِ وَالْقُدْرَةِ 
وَالْكِبْرِيَاءِ وَالْجَبَرُوتِ
سُبْحَانَ الْمَلِكِ الْحَيِّ الَّذِي لَا يَنَامُ وَلَا يَمُوتُ
سُبُّوحٌ قُدُّوسٌ رَبُّنَا وَرَبُّ الْمَلَائِكَةِ وَالرُّوحِ
اللَّهُمَّ أَجِرْنَا مِنَ النَّارِ
يَا مُجِيرُ، يَا مُجِيرُ، يَا مُجِيرُ

Subhāna dhil-Mulki wal-Malakūt,
Subhāna dhil-ʿizzati wal-ʿaẓamati wal-haybati wal-qudrati
wal-kibriyāʾi wal-jabarūt,
Subhānal-Maliki-l-ḥayyi-l-ladhī lā yanāmu wa-lā yamūt,
Subbūḥun Quddūsun, Rabbunā wa-Rabbu-l-malāʾikati wa-r-rūḥ,
Allāhumma ajirnā min an-nār,
Yā Mujīru, Yā Mujīru, Yā Mujīru

“Glorified is the Owner of the Kingdom of the earth and the heavens.

Glorified is the Possessor of Honour and Magnificence and Awe.

Glorified is the Possessor of Honour and Magnificence and Awe, and Power and Greatness and Omnipotence.

Glorified is the Sovereign, the Living, Who neither sleeps nor dies. He is the most praised and the most Holy, our Lord, the Lord of the Angels and the Spirit (Gabriel).

O Allah protect us from the fire of hell; O Protector, O Protector, O Protector.

Qur’anic Recitation: The Heart of Tarawīh

1. Completion (Khatm)

  • Many mosques aim to recite the entire Qur’an over 20 rakʿahs by the 27th Night of Ramadhan to coincide with Laylatul Qadr..

2. Personal Practice:

  • If praying alone, take your time to recite at a pace that nurtures understanding—even if this means fewer rakʿahs. Perhaps read from the last 10 Surahs of the Quran. (Link to video).
  • Avoid distractions; focus on the meanings of the recitations.

Witr: The Crown of Night Prayer

1. Hanafi Perspective:

  • Witr is performed as 3 rakʿahs with one taslīm. (Link to video).

Guidelines for Latecomers

Arriving Late for ʿIshāʾ

  • If the ʿIshāʾ Congregation is in Progress:
    • Join the Imām immediately in whatever Rakʿah he is in.
    • After the Imām concludes, stand up to complete missed Rakʿahs.
    • Then, join the Tarawīḥ congregation.
  • If the ʿIshāʾ Congregation Has Finished:
    • Perform the obligatory ʿIshāʾ prayer individually.
    • Join the Tarawīḥ congregation at whatever point it is.
    • Missed Rakʿahs of Tarawīḥ can be made up individually after the congregation ends.
    • Note: Witr should be prayed individually since ʿIshāʾ was not performed in congregation.

Partial Tarawīh Participation

  • Follow the Imām from the point you arrive and then complete your prayer on your own—if you join during the 12th rakʿah, for example, pray the remaining 8 rakʿahs individually.
  • If physical limitations require it, pray seated or in segments. Remember, sincerity transcends posture.

Virtues & Benefits: Beyond Forgiveness

  • Reward: In Sahih Muslim and Jamiʿ at-Tirmidhi, it is reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:

    “Whoever prays Isha in congregation, it is as if he has prayed for half the night, and whoever prays Isha and Fajr in congregation, it is as if he has prayed the whole night.”

  • Divine Mercy: Sincere Tarawīh not only wipes away past sins but also elevates your spiritual rank.
  • Qur’anic Intimacy: The night prayer is a profound opportunity to listen to or recite the entire Qur’an, fostering an intimate connection with its divine message.
  • Community Strength: Praying together reinforces unity—“Allah’s mercy is with the congregation.”
  • Mindful Resilience: Through prolonged worship, cultivate patience, gratitude, and spiritual resilience that endure beyond Ramadan.

Avoiding Pitfalls: Common Missteps

  1. Rushing Rituals: Prioritise measured recitation (tartīl) over speed. The Prophet ﷺ warned, “He who prays quickly is like a pecking crow” (Abu Dāwūd).
  2. Neglecting Duʿā Breaks: Do not skip the precious pauses—use them to recite the Taraweeh Dua and seek forgiveness.
  3. Isolation: Even if you pray at home, involve family. The Prophet ﷺ urged, “Guide your household to prayer” (Tirmidhī).
  4. Lack of Intention: Every set of 2 rakʿah should be offered with a conscious, heartfelt niyyah—avoid mechanical repetition.
  5. Lack of Intention: Remember to make a specific intention for each set of two Rakʿahs.
  6. Inconsistency: Aim for continuity throughout Ramadan.

Practical Tips: Making Tarawīh Sustainable

  • Pre-Tarawīh Preparation:
    • Have a light meal to avoid feeling sluggish.
    • Do Wudhu at home so each step earns reward as you’re heading to the mosque.
  • Mindful Participation:
    • For youngsters and newcomers, starting with fewer rakʿahs and gradually increasing may be an option to not praying at all.
    • Parents might consider involving children for short periods to nurture their love for worship.
  • Post-Tarawīh Reflection:
    • Take a few moments after prayer to journal a lesson or insight from the Imām’s recitation
    • Share a duʿā or reflection with a family member or friend to reinforce the communal bond.

Conclusion: A Month of Transformation

Tarawīh prayer is your nightly rendezvous with divine grace—a sanctuary where each prostration is a step towards Allah’s boundless mercy. Llet every moment of worship be imbued with heartfelt reflection and deep spiritual longing.

This Ramadan, allow Tarawīh to transform your nights into a journey of forgiveness, enlightenment, and unity. As Bayhaqī reminds us: 

“Ramadan is a month whose beginning is mercy, middle is forgiveness, and end is liberation from the Fire.”

May your nights be illuminated, your sins be forgiven, and your heart be forever changed.

Amin.

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