During the blessed nights of Ramadan, two significant acts of worship are among the established traditions of the Prophet (PBUH): Tarawih and Tahajjud prayers. These two prayers are among the most virtuous and meritorious voluntary prayers, and their legitimacy is confirmed by Prophetic Sunnah.
A: Tarawih Prayer
Tarawih prayer is considered one of the most important and virtuous acts of worship in Ramadan. It presents a unique opportunity to fully benefit from the blessings of this sacred month.
1. Etymology of the Word “Tarawih”
The word Tarawih is the plural of Tarweeha, which means “one instance of resting,” just as Tasleema means “one instance of saying Salam.” The prayer performed in congregation during the nights of Ramadan is called Tarawih because, when the Sahaba (MABH) first established this prayer in congregation, they would rest briefly after every two sets of Salams (i.e., after four rak’ahs).
2. Ruling on Tarawih Prayer
Tarawih is a Sunnah Mu’akkadah (an emphasized Sunnah), which the Prophet (PBUH) practiced in both word and action. This ruling applies equally to men and women, and anyone who neglects it without a valid excuse is considered sinful.
However, performing Tarawih in congregation is a Sunnah Kifayah (a collective duty), meaning that if a group of people in each area performs it in the mosque, the obligation is lifted from others. Nevertheless, offering it in congregation carries greater virtue.
3. Number of Rak’ahs in Tarawih Prayer
According to the consensus of scholars, jurists, and the four Imams, Tarawih consists of twenty rak’ahs. This number has been practiced among Muslims since the time of the Sahaba and continues to be observed in the two Holy Mosques (Masjids).
Regarding this, Sayb bin Yazid (MABH) narrated: “During the time of Umar ibn Khattab (MABH), we used to perform twenty rak’ahs of Tarawih.”
Another narration states: “Muslims during the era of Umar (MABH) performed twenty rak’ahs of Tarawih prayer.”
Shaykh al-Islam Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah protect him), a scholar highly trusted in both the Arab and non-Arab world for his knowledge, piety, and integrity, affirms the unanimous agreement on this matter. He states: “Various narrations regarding Tarawih prayer have been transmitted from the Prophet (PBUH). However, the majority of the Sahaba agreed upon twenty rak’ahs. Who can know the practice of the Prophet (PBUH) better than the noble Sahaba? Therefore, the number of rak’ahs in Tarawih remains twenty.”
4. How to Perform Tarawih Prayer
Tarawih prayer is performed after the four obligatory rak’ahs of Isha and its two Sunnah rak’ahs, consisting of twenty rak’ahs in total. Special emphasis is placed on the recitation of the Quran during this prayer. In Ramadan, the entire Quran is ideally completed at least once in Tarawih.
After every four rak’ahs, there is a brief rest period before continuing with the next four. The prayer is performed in sets of two rak’ahs each. Completing twenty rak’ahs of Tarawih every night in Ramadan and finishing the Quran once during this month is an established Sunnah.
