Tarawih

thumb|First Tarawih at the [[Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey]]Tarawih (), also spelled Taraweeh, refers to special Sunnah prayers performed exclusively during the Islamic month of Ramadan. The prayers involve the recitation of long portions of the Quran, consist of any number of even rak'a (cycles of prostration in an Islamic prayer), however most of the time either 8 or 20, and are often finished with the Witr prayer.

A key feature of Tarawih is the completion of the Quran during the month. The practice remains a significant aspect of Ramadan worship for many Muslims.

thumb|Tarawih prayer at the [[Great Mosque of Kairouan, Tunisia]]

Overview

Tarawih prayers begin from the first Moon-sighted evening—the start of Ramadan—to second moon-sighted evening—the last day of Ramadan. This prayer is performed in congregation during Ramadan of the Islamic calendar, after Isha, and before witr, which is also prayed following the imam, who leads the prayer aloud in one or three raka'āts unlike for the eleven other months.

Tarawih prayers are prayed in pairs. According to the Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali schools of Sunni Islam, the standard number of raka'āt is twenty since it is referred to in a narration in al-Muwatta, which states: "In the time of Umar, the people used to offer 20 raka'āt." However, it clearly mentions in the before the said narration that when Umar assigned Ubayy ibn Ka'b and Tamim al-Dari the duty lead the Tarawih, he ordered them to offer 11 raka'āt (eight of Tarawih and three of witr). Sunni Muslims believe it is customary to attempt a takmil ("complete recitation") of the Quran as one of the religious observances of Ramadan, by reciting at least one juz per night in tarawih.

Tarawih prayers are considered Sunnah, or meritorious but not obligatory. However, it is believed that the reward for them is great, as it is the Sunnah of Muhammad and is reported in multiple authentic hadiths.

Muhammad—according to Abu Hurayra—said: "Whoever stands with the imam (in Taraweeh prayer) until he finishes, it is equivalent to spending the whole night in prayer." The hadith was used as a proof by Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal.

Background

Tarawih is a prayer that is mentioned in Sunni traditions as Qiyam al-Layl min Ramadan ("Standing of night in Ramadan") and Qiyam al-Ramadan ("Standing of Ramadan"). Some Sunni Muslims regard Tarawih as confirmed traditional prayers (sunnat al-mu'akkadah). Other Sunni Muslims believe Tarawih is an optional prayer (nafl) that may be performed at home. According to that tradition, Muhammad initially and briefly prayed the Tarawih in congregations during Ramadan but discontinued the practice out of concern it would be mandated (fard) though he never forbade it. When Umar was caliph, he reinstated the praying of Tarawih in congregation.

Shia Muslims regard congregational Tarawih as a bid'ah ("innovation") that was reintroduced by Umar, according to his own words, after the death of Muhammad.

A Shia hadith, however, is claimed to have authenticated the Sunni prayer Tarawih, but that is disputed since not all hadiths in Kitab al-Kafi are sahih ("genuine"):

Muhammad al-Bukhari narrated regarding the Tarawih prayer in Sahih al-Bukhari:

Instead, Twelvers believe in the Tahajjud prayer, or ("night prayer"), which is recommended throughout the year, especially during the nights of Ramadan.

Other

On 3 January 2000, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad expressed regret that Tarawih prayers were used by certain people for political gain.

On 2 April 2022, hundreds of Muslims gathered in Times Square, New York City, to perform the first Tarawih prayers of Ramadan. Before the prayers, over 1,500 meals were handed out to the people to break their fast, known as iftar. The event marked the first public Tarawih prayers to be held in Times Square.

Instructions for Tarawih (step-by-step)

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1. Preparation

Perform wudu ("ablution") properly.
Dress according to the rules of awrah:
Men: From the navel to the knees.
Women: Entire body except face, hands, and feet.
Ensure the body, clothes, and prayer place are clean.

2. Face the qiblah

Stand facing the Kaaba in Makkah.
If unable to stand due to illness or difficulty, one may pray sitting.

3. Make the intention (niyyah)

Form the intention to pray two raka'āt of Tarawih for the sake of Allah.
Verbal articulation is optional in the Hanafi school.
Example (optional wording):
"I intend to pray two raka'āt of Tarawih for Allah, facing the Kaaba."

First Rak'a

4. Begin the prayer (Takbir al-Tahrimah)

Raise hands:
Men: To earlobes.
Women: To shoulders.

Say: "Allahu Akbar".

5. Place the hands

Men: Right hand over left, below the navel.
Women: Right hand over left, on the chest.

6. Opening Supplication (Thana)

Recite:
"Subhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika, wa tabarakasmuka, wa ta‘ala jadduka, wa la ilaha ghayruk".

7. Ta'awwudh and Tasmiyah

Recite silently:
"A‘udhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajim".
"Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim".

8. Recite Qur'an – Surah al-Fatihah

After reciting Surah al-Fatihah, say amin quietly.

9. Recite Another Surah

Minimum requirement:
Three short verses,

or,
one long verse equal in length to three short verses.

10. Ruku' (Bowing)

Say Allahu Akbar, bow with back straight.
Recite three times:
"Subhana Rabbiyal ‘Azim".

11. Rise from Ruku'

Say:
"Sami' Allahu liman hamidah".
Then:
"Rabbana laka al-hamd".

12. Sujood (Prostration)

Say Allahu Akbar, prostrate with:
Forehead
Nose
Palms
Knees
Toes touching ground

Recite three times:
"Subhana Rabbiyal A‘la".

13. Sit Briefly (Jalsah)

Say Allahu Akbar, sit properly.

14. Second Sujood

Perform another prostration the same way.

Second Rak‘ah

15. Stand for second Raka'āt

Say Allahu Akbar and repeat steps:
Surah al-Fatihah
Additional Surah
Ruku'
Two sujoods

After two Raka'āt

16. Sitting (Tashahhud)

Recite:
"At-tahiyyatu lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibat…"

17. Shahada

"Ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasuluh".

18. Salawat ("Sending Blessings")

"Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala ali Muhammad…"

19. Make Dua

Example:
"Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanah wa fil-akhirati hasanah wa qina ‘adhab an-nar".

20. End the prayer (Tasleem)

Turn right:
"Assalamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullah".
Turn left:
"Assalamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullah".