Muslims wait most anxiously for the month of Ramadan throughout the year. This month brings alot of blessings and every Muslim efforts to gain such rewards as much as possible.

Thus one of the best ways to have a lot of blessings in Ramadan is offering Taraweeh prayer (صلاة التراويح). Offering Taraweeh prayer is the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

What is Taraweeh (التراويح) ?

Taraweeh (التراويح) literally means ‘relaxation and rest’. This term was introduced as Qiyam al-layl (قيام الليل) in Quran and Hadith. Taraweeh prayer involves reciting Juz (جزء) of the Quran.

Hidahay Network Islamic teachers says, Taraweeh is Sunnah that is performed after the Isha (العشاء) prayer. These are usually 8-20 rakats. This prayer can be observed individually at home or in congregation in the Masjid.

Is Taraweeh Compulsory?

It is narrated in a hadith that the Prophet (PBUH) offered Taraweeh prayer in the masjid one day. Some Sahabah (الصحاب) joined during prayer. The number of followers increased by the following night. Thus, the Prophet (PBUH) didn’t come to perform Taraweeh on the third or fourth night. The next morning, He said: 

“indeed! I saw your eagerness. I did not come for the fear that this prayer will be made obligatory”. (Muslim, Hadith)  

The Companions continued offering the Taraweeh prayer in Ramadan during four Caliphs reigns. They followed the same tradition of offering Taraweeh either individually or in the form of small congregations.

The Hazrat Umar (رضي الله عنه) asked people to offer Taraweeh in one congregation. Since then, the offering of Taraweeh in the congregation has become a part of the daily Ramadan prayers.

Quran About Taraweeh Prayer

In the Quran, Allah (SWT) says:

وعباد الرّحمن الذين يمشون على الأرض هونا وإذا خاطبهم الجاهلون قالوا سلاما

والذين يبِيتون لربهم سجدا وقياما

And the servants of the Almighty are those who walk on the earth with modesty, and when the ignorant call upon them, they say (words of) peace. And those who spend (part of) the night to their Lord prostrating and standing (in prayer). (25: 63-4)

The Prophet (PBUH) as well as the Companions were keen to perform the night voluntary prayers in Ramadan. Umar (رضي الله عنه) used to perform voluntary night prayers. In the middle of the night, he used to wake up his family and say to them, ‘Prayer, prayer,’ and then recite the ayahs:

وأمر أهلك بالصلاة واصطبر عليها

And enjoin prayer upon your family (and people) and be steadfast therein. (20: 132)

Sahih Hadith on Taraweeh

There are many Hadiths about Taraweeh prayer. But here few sahih hadith on taraweeh.

• قال أبا هريرة رضى الله عنه: سمعت رسول اللّه صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول لرمضان ‏”‏من قامهُ إِيمانا واحتسابا غفر له ما تقدّم من ذنبه‏”‏‏.‏

“Whoever prayed at night in it (Ramadan) out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Sahih Bukhari)

•  عن عائشة، زوج النّبيّ أنّ رسول اللّه صلى الله عليه وسلم صلّى وذلك في رمضان‏.‏

Aisha (رضي الله عنها) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) used to pray (at night) in Ramadan. (Sahih Bukhari)

• Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said,

“Whoever draws nearer (to Allah) by performing any of the  good deeds in (Ramadan) shall receive the same reward as performing an obligatory deed at any other time. And, whoever discharges an obligatory deed in (Ramadan) shall receive the reward of performing seventy obligations at any other time”. (Muslim)

Importance and Benefits of Taraweeh

1. Taraweeh prayer (صلاة التراويح) is Sunnah Mustahab (مستحب). It is supported by the evidence of the Quran and Hadith which encourages Qiyam al-layl and describes its virtues.
2. Taraweeh prayer (صلاة التراويح) is a means of achieving forgiveness for all sins. As Abu Hurayrah narrated the saying of the Prophet (PBUH), “Whoever prayed at night throughout the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah will have all of his previous sins forgiven.” 
3. Praying Taraweeh during Ramadan is such an act of worship by means of which a person can draw closer to Allah SWT. Hafiz Ibn Rajab said, ‘in the month of Ramadan the believer engages in jihad al-nafs (جهاد النفس) on two fronts; during the day by fasting and during the night by offering Taraweeh. Whoever combines these two forms will be given reward without limit.’
4. If Taraweeh prayer is keenly performed in congregation and to stay until the Imam finishes, the worshipper will get reward for praying the whole night. 

Abu Dar narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever prays Qiyam (Taraweeh) with the imam until he finishes, will be recorded as having spent the whole night in prayer.”  (Tirmidhi)

How Many Rakats are there in Taraweeh?

There is a difference in opinion regarding the number of  Taraweeh rakats performed by the Prophet (PBUH). Some say the number was eight; some say the number was twelve, while the others say it was twenty. Although the majority of Muslims follow the 20 Rakats in Taraweeh tradition. 

Abdullah ibn Umar narrated a hadith that “Prayers at night are to be offered two by two. If any of you fears that the time of dawn is approaching, then let him pray one rakat is Witr.”

Abdullah ibn Abbas narrated that “The Prophet pbuh would pray 20 Rakats and then witr in the month of Ramadan.”

Variations in the narrations of the life of the Prophet (PBUH) greatly affect the Taraweeh prayer. Thus, the goal behind offering Taraweeh prayer during Ramadan is to get a step closer to Allah and to purify our soul from sins. 

How to Offer Taraweeh Prayer?

Taraweeh prayer can be offered as an individual or in congregation. We can also offer Taraweeh at home or in Masjid. 

Abdur Rahman bin Abdul Qari said, “I went out with Umar bin Al-Khattab one night in Ramadan to the masjid and found the people praying in different groups. And a group praying in congregation. So, Umar said, ‘In my opinion I would better to gather them under the leadership of one Imam’. So, he made up his mind to congregate them behind Ubai bin Ka’b.”

Umar (رضي الله عنه) checked on the following night that was happening. He saw that there was one congregation and said, it’s now a fine bid’at (بدعت). So, it was the organization of the prayer not any new addition.

Most Muslims offer Taraweeh in congregation in Masjid, which is not obligatory. Antone can offer at home, individually or in congregation. However, if offered in congregation earns a 27 times greater reward. Mostly, imam recites the whole Quran in Juz during Ramadan in congregation.

The Best Time for Taraweeh Prayer

The most ideal time to offer Taraweeh is after the Isha prayer. When you offer Isha, rest or sleep, and then offer Taraweeh along with Witr during the final third of the night. 

Thus, in the congregational Prayer with the intention of 2 Rakats, you have to follow the Imam. After 4 rakats, recite Taraweeh Dua and salutations. Once you have completed 20 rakats, 3 rakats of Witr Prayer are offered in the congregation.

Taraweeh Prayer Dua

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

سبحان ذى الملك والملكوت، سبحان ذي العزة والعظمة والهيبة والقدرة والكبرياء والجبروت، سبحان الملك الحي الذي لا ينام و لا يموت، سبّوح قدّوس ربنا ورب الملائكة والروح، اللهم اجرنا من النار يا مجير يا مجير يا مجير○

Transliteration: Subhana dhil-mulki wal-malakoot, subhana zil-‘izzati wal-‘azmati wal-haybati wal-qudrati wal-kibriya i wal-jabaruut, subhan-al Maliki haiy-aladhi la yanamu wa la yamoot, subbuhun quddusun rabbuna wa rabb-ul malaa’ikati war-ruh, Allahumma ajirnaa min-an naar, ya mujiru, ya mujiru, ya Mujeer.

English translation: “Glory be to the Owner of the Kingdom of the earth and heavens. Glory to He Who commands Respect and Honour and Magnificence & Awe and Power and Greatness and Omnipotence. Glory be to the Sovereign, the Ever-living. Who does not sleep nor die. He is the Most Praised, the Most Holy, our Lord and the Lord of all Angels and the Spirit (Jibraeel عليه السلام). O Allah! Save us from the fire of Hell. O Protector!  O Protector!  O Protector!”

You can also download this Taraweeh Prayer PDF dua here. That audio can be downloaded here.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, the imperativeness of Taraweeh and it’s being one of the recommended deeds in Ramadan. It is evident from the life of the Prophet (PBUH) and its observance in the reigns of different Caliphs. 

The prophet (PBUH) discontinued offering Taraweeh prayer for fear that it would become compulsory. Therefore, every Muslim must try offering Taraweeh regularly and not take it casually during Ramadan. 

Ramadan gives us the opportunity to pray sincerely and develop a strong relationship with Allah, and we can do that by performing short prayers in the form of Taraweeh prayer and memorizing Quran or doing kthm of the Quran.