The Tarawih prayer is a form of nightly worship specific to the month of Ramadan, performed after the Isha prayer and considered a strongly recommended Sunnah (sunnah muakkada) in Hanafi jurisprudence. Derived from the root meaning “to rest,” Tarawih features a distinctive style of performance that includes a brief sitting period after every four rak’ahs. This article provides a comprehensive overview of Tarawih prayer, covering everything from its definition and legal ruling to the number of rak’ahs, its virtues, and frequently asked questions.
What Is the Tarawih Prayer?
The Tarawih prayer, discussed in classical fiqh sources under the heading “Giyam-i Şehri Ramadan” (the nightly vigil of the month of Ramadan), is a form of worship unique to the month of Ramadan. It derives its name from the brief pause given after every four rak’ahs to allow the congregation to rest; this pause is called “terwîha.”
What Is the Ruling on the Tarawih Prayer?
According to the ruling in *Kudûrî*, it is considered mustahab for people to gather after the Isha prayer during the month of Ramadan to perform the Tarawih prayer; in the Hanafi school of thought, the general consensus is that this act of worship is a *sunnah muakkadah*.
يُسْتَحَبُّ أَنْ يَجْتَمِعَ النَّاسُ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ بَعْدَ الْعِشَاءِ
Translation: “It is recommended for people to gather together after the Isha prayer during the month of Ramadan.”
This practice is based on the tradition of our Prophet (peace be upon him) and his companions of keeping the nights of Ramadan alive, and in this sense, the Tarawih prayer is a nightly vigil that is encouraged to be performed in congregation.
How Many Rak'ahs Are There in the Tarawih Prayer? How Is It Performed?
The Tarawih prayer is performed in a total of twenty rak'ahs. These rak'ahs are performed in five “terwīha” (rest periods) of four rak'ahs each. The basic guidelines for performing it can be summarized as follows:
- The imam leads the congregation in prayer, offering the salam after every two rak'ahs.
- Between the two Tervîha prayers, it is recommended to sit and rest for a period of time sufficient to perform approximately four rak'ahs.
- After the Tarawih prayer is completed, the imam leads the congregation in the Witr prayer as well.
- Tarawih is performed after the obligatory and final sunnah parts of the Isha prayer, and before the Witr prayer.
فَيُصَلِّي بِهِمْ إِمَامُهُمْ خَمْسَ تَرْوِيحَاتٍ، فِي كُلِّ تَرْوِيحَةٍ تَسْلِيمَتَانِ
Translation: “The imam leads them in five terviha prayers, offering two salutations after each terviha.”
Should Tarawih Be Prayed in Congregation or Individually?
Praying the Tarawih prayer in congregation is the practice most in keeping with the spirit of the Sunnah, and gathering for this purpose is considered mustahab. However, it is also permissible to pray it alone (individually) either due to a valid reason or by choice. While the Witr prayer is generally performed individually on days other than those in Ramadan, performing it in congregation as part of Tarawih during the month of Ramadan is considered a Sunnah.
What Are the Virtues of the Tarawih Prayer?
One of the main foundations of the Tarawih prayer is the following hadith, which speaks of the virtue of spending the nights of Ramadan in worship:
مَنْ قَامَ رَمَضَانَ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ
Translation: “Whoever spends the nights of Ramadan in worship with faith and seeking reward only from Allah will have their past sins forgiven.”
In the traditions cited in *Dürretü’n-Nasihîn*, a distinct virtue is attributed to each night of Ramadan. The most notable of these traditions can be listed as follows:
- Each rak'ah of prayer performed in congregation is considered many times more virtuous than prayer performed alone.
- It has been reported that every step taken toward the mosque leads to the reward of a long-lasting act of worship.
- Attention has been drawn to the spiritual benefits of engaging in frequent remembrance of God and reciting the tasbih during the nights of Ramadan.
These narrations have been cited primarily for the purpose of encouragement and guidance; the fiqh pillars of prayer (the number of rak’ahs, the manner of performance) have been explained separately above, based on Kudûri’s work.
Intentions and Prayers for the Tarawih Prayer
Since Tarawih is a voluntary act of worship, the intention for it is made in accordance with the general requirements for the intention of prayer. Reciting the Salawat al-Sharif after prayer and engaging in remembrance of Allah with phrases such as “Subhanallah,” “Alhamdulillah,” and “La ilaha illallah” are among the practices considered to enhance the spiritual benefits of Ramadan nights.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Tarawih Prayer
How many rak'ahs are there in the Tarawih prayer?
The Tarawih prayer is performed in five sets of four rak'ahs each, for a total of twenty rak'ahs; the salam is recited after every two rak'ahs.
When is the Tarawih prayer performed?
Tarawih is performed after the obligatory and final sunnah parts of the Isha prayer, and before the Witr prayer.
Can the Witr prayer be performed in congregation along with the Tarawih prayers?
Outside of Ramadan, it is not common practice to perform the Witr prayer in congregation; however, during Ramadan, it is considered a Sunnah to perform it in congregation following the Tarawih prayers.
Can the Tarawih prayer be performed at home?
The Tarawih prayer can also be performed at home. However, performing it in congregation at the mosque is the preferred practice, both in terms of adhering to the original Sunnah and the merits mentioned in the hadiths.
Sources
- Kudûrî, *al-Muhtasar* — The Chapter on Prayer (Prayers During the Month of Ramadan)
- Dürretü’n-Nasihîn — Sermons for Ramadan and Religious Holidays
