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The Complete Guide to Tarawīh Prayer

Contents

Introduction

Tarawih is a special Sunnah prayer performed during the blessed month of Ramadan after the obligatory ʿIshaʾ prayer. It offers an opportunity to gain immense rewards, seek forgiveness, and strengthen one’s connection with Allah. 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)
This guide explores the rulings, significance, and etiquettes of Tarawīḥ according to the Hanafī school of thought, providing clear instructions to help you perform this prayer correctly and wholeheartedly.

Significance of Tarawih in Ramadan

On the eve of Ramaḍān, the Prophet ﷺ addressed his followers: 

“There has come to you Ramaḍān, a blessed month. Allah has made obligatory upon you its fasting. In it, the gates of Heaven are opened, the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained. In it, Allah has a night which is better than a thousand months; whoever is deprived of its goodness is indeed deprived.”
(Musnad Aḥmad)

Key Points:

  • Maximizing Rewards: Voluntary acts in Ramaḍān carry the reward of obligatory acts performed in other months.
  • Forgiveness of Sins: Standing in prayer during Ramaḍān is a means of having past sins forgiven.
  • Spiritual Growth: Tarawīḥ enhances one’s connection with the Qur’ān and fosters spiritual renewal.

Essential Rules of Tarawih According to the Hanafi Madhhab

1. Basic Structure

  • Total Rakʿahs: 20 Rakʿahs
  • Sets: Performed in sets of two Rakʿahs, totaling 10 Salāms
  • Timing: After ʿIshāʾ until true dawn (Ṣubḥ al-Ṣādiq)
  • Sequence: Can be performed before or after Witr prayer

2. Congregational Prayer (Jamāʿah)

For Men:

  • Sunnah Muʾakkadah to perform Tarawīḥ in congregation at the mosque.
  • If some men perform it in congregation, the communal obligation is fulfilled.
  • Praying individually at home is permissible but less rewarding.

For Women:

  • Sunnah Muʾakkadah to perform Tarawīḥ.
  • Preferred to pray at home.
  • May attend the mosque if appropriate etiquettes are observed.

3. Intention (Niyyah)

Make a specific intention for each two Rakʿahs. Example: “I intend to perform two Rakʿahs of Tarawīḥ Sunnah for the sake of Allah.”

4. Standing (Qiyām)

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

5. Method of Performing Tarawih

Pauses (Tarwihah):

  • Take a brief pause after every four Rakʿahs.
  • Use this time for:
    • Dhikr: Remembrance of Allah
    • Tasbīh: Reciting specific phrases of glorification
    • Silent Reflection: Contemplating on the verses recited

6. Recommended Tasbih During Pauses

Recite the following three times:

 

 

“Subḥāna al-Maliki al-Quddūs” (Glory be to the King, the Most Holy)
On the third recitation, add:
“Rabb al-Malāʾikati wa al-Rūḥ” (Lord of the angels and the Spirit)

7. Witr Prayer Guidelines

  1. Obligatory (Wājib): Witr is considered Wājib in the Ḥanafī school.
  2. Timing: Performed after Tarawīḥ.
  3. Congregation:
    1. If ʿIshāʾ was prayed in congregation, it is recommended to perform Witr in congregation during Ramaḍān.
    2. If ʿIshāʾ was not prayed in congregation, Witr should be performed individually.
  4. Delaying Witr:
    1. Permissible to delay Witr for those intending to perform additional night prayers (e.g., Tahajjud).
    2. The Prophet ﷺ said: 

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

Guidelines for Latecomers

1. 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.

2. Arriving Late for Tarawih

  • Join the Tarawīḥ congregation at the current Rakʿah.
  • Make up missed Rakʿahs individually after the congregation concludes.

Etiquette and Sunnahs of Tarawih

1. Purity and Dress

  • Wudu: Ensure you have ablution before prayer.
  • Clothing: Wear clean, modest attire appropriate for prayer.

2. Intention and Focus

  • Perform Tarawih with sincerity, seeking Allah’s pleasure.
  • Avoid distractions; focus on the meanings of the recitations.

3. Utilizing Pauses Effectively

  • Engage in Dhikr or silent reflection during breaks.
  • Reflect on the verses recited and their meanings.

4. Community Engagement

  • Encourage family members to participate in Tarawih.
  • Foster a supportive environment for worship at home and in the community.

Enhanced Rewards and Benefits

  • Forgiveness of Sins: Standing in prayer during Ramaḍān leads to forgiveness of past sins.
  • Multiplication of Rewards: Voluntary deeds in Ramaḍān are rewarded as obligatory deeds.
  • Spiritual Connection: Strengthens one’s relationship with Allah and attachment to the Qur’ān.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Rushing the Prayer: Ensure calmness and proper pronunciation during recitation.
  • Neglecting Congregational Prayer: Men should not skip the mosque without a valid reason.
  • Incorrect Witr Practice: Avoid performing Witr in congregation if ʿIshāʾ was prayed individually.
  • Skipping Pauses: Do not omit the recommended breaks between sets of four Rakʿahs.
  • Lack of Intention: Remember to make a specific intention for each set of two Rakʿahs.

Conclusion

Tarawīḥ prayer is a unique and precious opportunity during Ramaḍān for spiritual elevation and seeking Allah’s mercy. By adhering to these guidelines and performing the prayer with sincerity and devotion, you can maximize the blessings and rewards of this sacred practice.

May Allah accept our prayers, forgive our shortcomings, and grant us the full benefits of this blessed month.

Amin.

WHAT SHOULD BE RECITED DURING THE PAUSE (IN TRAWIH)

The worshiper has the option to be quiet during the pause after each 4 raka’at, or recite some Tasbih, or offer a voluntary prayer. The people of Makkah, as mentioned above, used to perform a tawaf of the Ka’bah, and the people of Madinah offered 4 raka’at of Nafl.
Some jurists, however, have recommended that the following Tasbih be recited in the pause.

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.

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