Taraweeh: The Night Prayer of Ramadan Explained
Taraweeh — the night prayer of Ramadan — is the month's evening gift: a congregational prayer after Isha in which the Qur'an is recited and the community stands together in the night. This guide explains what it is, the scholarly range on its length, and how to keep the habit when Ramadan leaves.
What Taraweeh is
Taraweeh (from tarwiha — rest) is a voluntary night prayer performed after Isha during Ramadan, usually in congregation, in two-rak'ah units. Its foundation is the Prophet's (peace be upon him) recorded night prayers in Ramadan, which he led in the mosque for several nights then ceased from, explaining he feared it would be made obligatory (Sahih al-Bukhari; Sahih Muslim). That fear became our freedom: a beloved, voluntary, gathered prayer.
How many rak'ahs?
The number is a famous point of fiqh difference, and a visitor to two masjids in one city may see two numbers:
- Eight rak'ahs — associated with the practice recorded from Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her; Sahih al-Bukhari & Sahih Muslim) of the Prophet's (peace be upon him) night prayer.
- Twenty rak'ahs — the practice of the companions under Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), followed by the majority of the Hanafi and Hanbali schools and the common practice of many masjids.
- More — some communities add Witr and additional units; others pray eleven with Witr together.
The wisdom of the range
Scholars explain the range as a mercy: the prayer is spacious. What matters is not the count but the standing — presence in the night prayer, in congregation where possible, reciting and listening to the Qur'an. If your masjid prays twenty and your habit is eight, pray with the community and let the unit count serve unity.
Witr after Taraweeh
The night prayer traditionally closes with Witr — the odd-numbered prayer beloved to the Prophet (peace be upon him), who said: 'The witr is a duty' for those who can, in his generous teaching, and urged it as the seal of the night (Sunan Abi Dawud). Your masjid's Taraweeh will typically include the Witr at its end.
Carry the night prayer past Ramadan
The Prophet (peace be upon him) is recorded saying the best prayer after the obligatory ones is the night prayer (Sahih Muslim). Many believers use Taraweeh as the gateway to a year-round qiyam — two rak'ahs a night in the last third, when Allah's descending and answering is recorded. Ramadan gives the habit; the year keeps it.
Frequently asked questions
Can I pray Taraweeh at home?
Yes — it is voluntary, and praying at home with family is beloved and has strong recorded precedent (the Prophet's household prayed at home). Many combine: Taraweeh in congregation, and the last-third night prayer at home.
I struggle to stand the full Taraweeh. What do I do?
Pray what you can — even two rak'ahs with sincerity — and sit when tired. Scholars note the reward is by what is done with presence. Build the standing through the month; Ramadan is long enough to grow.
Sources
- Quran 17:79
- Sahih al-Bukhari & Sahih Muslim (the night prayer in Ramadan; the Prophet's ceasing out of mercy)
- Sahih Muslim (best prayer after the obligatory is the night prayer)
- Sunan Abi Dawud (Witr as the seal)
Last content review: 2026-09-25. How Destiny Map selects and verifies sources is explained on the Sources & Methodology page.
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