Is Taraweeh Sunnah? Meaning, Rakat and Rules

The new crescent moon marks the start of the Holy month of Ramadan, when Muslims all over the world are ready to have a month of spiritual revival. Taraweeh prayer in Ramadan is one of the main elements of evening prayers that Muslims punctually offer during this Holy month. Taraweeh is a term in the Arabic language, which translates to rest. These special voluntary prayers that are conducted during the nights of Ramadan, and they are only conducted after the Isha prayers. Although offering Taraweeh prayer is not compulsory (Fard), it is confirmed as Sunnah Mu’akkadah, which has a great reward. Prophet Muhammad PBUH assured that whoever prays during Ramadan with faith and hope, their sins of the past will be forgiven. 

As there are most of the Muslims who try their best to follow all the sunnah acts during this spiritual month, there are always doubts about how many Rakats one should perform in Taraweeh. What are the rules for women and children, timings, and in particular, when the communities in the UK have different schedules in the mosques. Most of the believers would want to know whether 8 Rakats are better or 20. 

This informative guide will help you understand the real decisions, hints, and mosque times that you should take advantage of this blessed tradition. We have all you need, such as knowing its position, to its time in the locality. 

Taraweeh in Islam 

Taraweeh, which is an established Sunnah, is performed after Isha prayer and before Witr which provides believers with a great opportunity to get closer to Almighty SWT and the Holy Book Quran, ask for forgiveness from your previous misdeeds and get a lot of spiritual benefit.  According to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), whoever is in prayer during Ramadan, and with faith and wishing to be rewarded, all his past sins will be forgiven (Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim). This is a beautiful promise that makes millions of people flock in mosques or pray at home during the nights of Ramadan. To the UK Muslims, attending Taraweeh means making special considerations during the sacred month,  whether it is 8 or 20 rakat, whether the offerer is a woman or children, everyone is allowed to attend. If you are offering Taraweeh prayer for the first time and have never attended it before or if you are a parent and are trying to get your children to attend Taraweeh, this blog can give you the answer. It is time to go deeper and make this Ramadan transformative.

Taraweeh vs. Tahajjud: What’s the Difference?

Taraweeh and Tahajjud both are blessed prayers that are offered during night. Taraweeh prayer in UK and everywhere else in the world is mainly performed during the Ramadan with your Isha prayer  before sleeping, which is often attended in a gathering after an Imam or Islamic scholar. Tahajjud is a voluntary prayer that is performed during midnight, ideally after waking up from sleep. Taraweeh is focused on shared Quran recitation, while Tahajjud is personal when you deeply connect with the Creator SWT. 

Is Taraweeh Sunnah or Fard? 

Taraweeh is confirmed as Sunnah and not Fard. This great difference implies that it is strongly encouraged and greatly appreciated, but not sinful to skip because of situations like sickness, job, or family. This is a wonderful encouragement to the prayers that was given by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) who stated: Whoever prays qiyam in Ramadan seeking faith and in the hope of receiving reward, his past sins will be pardoned (Sahih al-Bukhari). This is a ruling that is agreed upon by scholars of all the four Sunni schools, which are Hanafi, Shafi, Maliki, and Hanbali. 

Although it has additional spiritual value and social bonding when people pray together in the mosque during the Taraweeh time, it is also acceptable to pray at home. So when you miss a night, you need not feel guilty, just offer it up when you can after Isha. During this blessed month Allah is rewarding. Getting closer to Him with the help of Taraweeh offering is a mercy and not a burden.  To Muslims in London, Taraweeh prayers in the local mosque is a favorite Ramadan practice that brings together faith and community. However, when there are many mosques with different schedules and facilities it is a bit of planning before you can organize your evening worship. Ideally search for the mosques closer to your areas and commute on time for an on time taraweeh offering with following Taraweeh rules and Rakats. 

Things to Recite during Taraweeh Prayers 

There are no surahs to recite during the taraweeh prayers. In Islam, there is flexibility in optional worship where one can recite any part of the Quran that he or she knows or wants to meditate on. But one cherished custom of most mosques in London, Manchester, and in other cities of the UK is the effort to read through the book of the Quran during the 30 days of Ramadan, the imam reading in sequence, starting with Surah Al-Baqarah and onwards. The practice creates a sense of communal association with the words of Allah and it allows everyone to listen to the Quran as a whole.

Taraweeh Dua:

سُبْحَانَ ذِی الْمُلْکِ وَالْمَلَکُوْتِ سُبْحَانَ ذِی الْعِزَّةِ وَالْعَظَمَةِ وَالْهَيْبَةِ وَالْقُدْرَةِ وَالْکِبْرِيَآئِ وَالْجَبَرُوْتِ سُبْحَانَ الْمَلِکِ الْحَيِ الَّذِی لَا يَنَامُ وَلَا يَمُوْتُ سُبُّوحٌ قُدُّوْسٌ رَبُّنَا وَرَبُّ الْمَلَائِکَةِ وَالرُّوْحِ ط اَللّٰهُمَّ اَجِرْنَا مِنَ النَّارِ يَا مُجِيْرُ يَا مُجِيْرُ يَا مُجِيْر

FAQs

Is Taraweeh compulsory for women?

Taraweeh is not compulsory or fard for anyone, whether the offeror is men, women, or children. 

Can Taraweeh be prayed alone at home?

Taraweeh is completely acceptable when one is praying at home. There is no restriction on offering it at ease in your homes. 

Can Taraweeh be shortened if someone is tired?

Islam encourages ease. Reduce the number of Rakats from 20 to 8, reduce recitations, have seated breaks or pray at home. 

How many Rakats did Prophet Muhammad ﷺ pray in Taraweeh?

On the authority of Aisha (RA), the Prophet (PBUH)  used 8 Rakats of prayer.