Everything you Need to Know About Tarawih Prayers

You will hear the term "Tarawih Prayers" a lot in the days building up to, and during the holy month of Ramadan. Tarawih Prayers, also referred to as "Taraweeh", are one of the most spiritual, yet optional, acts of worship synonymous with Ramadan. Here is a brief guide to Tarawih Prayers and what they represent to Muslims.

What are Tarawih Prayers?

Tarawih prayers are a significant aspect of Islamic worship during the holy month of Ramadan. This special prayer is a voluntary and additional ritual performed by Muslims after the obligatory Isha prayer at night and before the Witr prayer and is offered only during the month of Ramadan.

This act of worship is highly recommended as it is a confirmed “Sunnah” by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Tarawih prayers begin from the first Moon-sighted evening (start of Ramadan) to second Moon-sighted evening (last day of Ramadan). As Tarawih are evening prayers, they must be performed before Fajr (Dawn) begins. It is fine to sleep after ’Isha and then wake up later in the night to pray Tarawih.

How to Pray Tarawih?

Tarawih prayers are prayed in pairs. They are typically prayed in congregation or in mosques led by an Imam and involve 20 units of prayer, or rak'ahs, in total. The prayer is usually divided into sets of two rak'ahs, with a brief rest or break after every four rak'ahs. During this break, the Imam may offer some brief sermons, providing guidance and inspiration to the worshippers.

Since there is no defined number of rak’ahs for Tarawih Prayers, 20 rak’ahs is the most common number. Some Muslims choose to pray 8 rak’ahs while others go for as many as 36 rak’ahs.

Can You Pray Tarawih at Home?

The answer is yes. You can also pray it in congregation with family and/or friends or by yourself at home. That said, performing Tarawih in the mosque imparts a special flavor to Ramadan and enables a person to recite and hear the whole Qur’an recited during the month.

What is the Meaning of Tarawih?

The word Tarawih originates from the Arabic word "tarawihah," which means "to rest and relax." The prayer is called Tarawih because it is a long and relaxing prayer in which worshippers stand for long periods of time, reciting the verses of the Quran and engaging in supplications.

What is the Significance of Tarawih Prayers?

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Whoever stands with the imam (in Tarawih prayer) until he finishes, it is equivalent to spending the whole night in prayer.” 

Tarawih Prayers provide an opportunity for Muslims to strengthen their relationship with Allah by reciting the Quran and engaging in supplications, and it also helps to develop a sense of community and unity among worshippers. It also carries the reward of following the Sunnah, especially since it takes place during the month of Ramadan when the rewards for all good deeds are multiplied.  

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This article was previously published on saudimoments.To see the original article, click here