Worship & Rituals
Tarawih
Tarāwīḥ
Voluntary congregational night prayers performed during the nights of Ramadan after the Isha prayer.
What is Tarawih?
Tarawih are the special night prayers of Ramadan, offered each night after the obligatory Isha prayer. They are a highly emphasised voluntary worship (sunnah mu'akkadah) prayed in congregation in mosques throughout the blessed month. During Tarawih, imams often recite long passages of the Quran, frequently completing the entire Quran over the course of Ramadan.
The Meaning in Depth
The Prophet ﷺ prayed these night prayers in the mosque for several nights, then stopped attending out of fear they would become obligatory upon the community. After his passing, when that concern no longer applied, the Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab gathered the people behind one imam — and seeing them united, he said: "What an excellent innovation (bid'ah) this is" (Bukhari 2010), meaning a praiseworthy revival of the Prophet's practice. The number of rak'ahs varies by tradition (commonly 8 or 20), and scholars across schools have accepted this range; the spirit of the prayer matters more than disputes over its count.
Tarawih and the Quran
- "The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind..." (2:185)
- "Indeed, the [recitation of the] dawn is ever witnessed." (17:78, on the virtue of night and dawn worship)
Living by This Sunnah
Tarawih revives the nights of Ramadan with worship and Quran. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever stands (in prayer) during Ramadan out of faith and seeking reward, his previous sins will be forgiven" (Bukhari 37). Praying Tarawih with presence of heart — listening to the recited Quran and standing humbly before Allah — is among the greatest opportunities of the year to draw near to the Lord and have one's record cleansed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many rak'ahs is Tarawih?
There is valid scholarly difference: many pray 8 rak'ahs, while the practice that became widespread in the time of Umar and after is 20 rak'ahs, followed by Witr. Both are accepted; one should follow a sound opinion and focus on quality and devotion rather than dispute.
Is Tarawih obligatory?
No. Tarawih is a strongly recommended voluntary prayer (sunnah), not an obligation. Missing it is not sinful, but it is a great loss of reward, especially given the special blessing of standing in prayer during Ramadan nights.
Etymology & origin
Tarawih (التراويح) is the plural of tarwiha (ترويحة), "a period of rest", from the root R-W-Ḥ (ر-و-ح). The prayer is named for the brief rests the early worshippers took after every four rak'ahs of these long night prayers. Tarawih are the special voluntary prayers offered in congregation each night of Ramadan after the Isha prayer.
References
- Quran:
- 2:185, 17:78, 17:79, 73:1, 73:20, 25:64
- Hadith:
- Bukhari 37 / Muslim 759 (whoever stands in prayer during Ramadan with faith and seeking reward is forgiven); Bukhari 2010 (Umar gathering the people for Tarawih: "what an excellent innovation"); Bukhari 924 / Muslim 761 (the Prophet praying at night in Ramadan, then stopping lest it become obligatory)
Related terms
Isha
The night prayer, performed after the red twilight disappears until midnight (preferably) or dawn; 4 Rakahs.
Laylat al-Qadr
The "Night of Power" in the last ten nights of Ramadan, described in the Quran as better than a thousand months; the night the Quran began to be revealed.
Ramadan
The ninth and holiest month of the Islamic calendar, the month of obligatory fasting and the revelation of the Quran.
Tahajjud
The night vigil prayer offered after waking from sleep, before Fajr; the most beloved Nafilah of the Prophet ﷺ.
Witr
An odd-numbered prayer (usually 1 or 3 Rakahs) performed after Isha and before Fajr; highly emphasized Sunnah, considered Wajib by Hanafis.