Everything you need to learn about offering Taraweeh prayers

The Arabic word for rest and relaxation is Taraweeh. Muslims worldwide engage in this custom during the holy month of Ramadan. Muslims offer special prayers known as Taraweeh following every evening's last day prayer (isha) during Ramadan.

What is Taraweeh?

The act of doing Taraweeh is considered a sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), which implies that it was his custom, and Muslims are urged to follow the same path, but it is not compulsory.


How did the custom begin?

The Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) went out one night during the final year of his life and offered Taraweeh. Some individuals accompanied him in prayer that evening. On the second night, word of the Taraweeh circulated, and more individuals joined. The third night saw an even larger crowd. The mosque was crowded on the fourth night as the populace anticipated the Prophet's arrival. However, the Prophet prayed by himself at home.

After that, people prayed Taraweeh individually and in small clusters, from the reign of Caliph Abu Bakr to the commencement of the reign of Caliph Omar. They worshipped for eight rakats after Caliph Omar had collected everyone behind one imam. Eventually, to make the process simpler for people, it was increased to 20 rakats.

How Many Rakats are Performed in the Taraweeh Prayer?

According to the sayings of the Prophet, it is said that the Taraweeh ritual is eight rakats long. It is similar to your usual salah, where Taraweeh is chanted in a series of two rakats each. Hence, 20 rakats is the longest for a Taraweeh, and two rakats is the shortest. However, the citizens of Medina performed the Taraweeh prayer for 36 rakats from the time of Caliph Omar bin Abdulaziz (717–720 AD).

Are there any Rewards for the Taraweeh Prayer?

The advantages of praying Taraweeh are countless. Per the Prophet, their prior sins are pardoned if the people perform this prayer.

The benefits of Taraweeh are also more significant because it is performed throughout Ramadan. The Prophet said that whoever draws closer to Allah by performing any of the great (optional) deeds in (this month) will receive the same reward as if they had performed a great deed at any other time. But if anyone discharges a duty in (this month), they shall receive the reward of performing 70 chores at any other period.