How to Pray Tarawih?
Tarawih is a prayer that Muslim pray during Ramadan after the Isha Prayer. Tarawih is prayed only during the Ramadan. Many Muslims and some of newly Muslim are not know the complete way to pray Tarawih. Here is the complete way to Pray Tarawih:
Before you begin:
- Ramadan hasn’t started yet (as of March 12th, 2024), but this guide will prepare you for when it does.
- Perform Isha prayer: Make sure you complete the mandatory Isha prayer before Taraweeh, which is a voluntary night prayer.
How many rak’ahs (units of prayer) are in Tarawih?
There’s no single prescribed number of rak’ahs in Taraweeh. Different narrations suggest 8, 12, or 20 rak’ahs.
- In most mosques, the Imam will lead Taraweeh with 20 rak’ahs, following a practice supported by all four schools of Islamic jurisprudence.
- You can choose a number that works for you, but it’s recommended to pray in sets of two rak’ahs.
Steps to praying Tarawih:
- Intention: Make a clear intention in your heart that you are starting Taraweeh prayer.
- Takbir: Begin with the Takbir al-Ihram (“Allahu Akbar”), raising your hands alongside.
- Recite Surah Al-Fatihah: Recite the opening Surah of the Quran in each rak’ah.
- Recite additional Qur’an: After Al-Fatihah, recite another portion of the Quran in each rak’ah. The length can vary depending on your stamina and the number of rak’ahs you pray.
- Ruku’ and Sujud: Follow the standard prayer movements, including bowing (ruku’), standing straight (i’tidal), prostrating (sujud), and sitting between prostrations (jalisah).
- Complete two rak’ahs: After two rak’ahs, you’ve completed one set. You can take a short break before continuing.
- Repeat: Pray subsequent sets of two rak’ahs, reciting Quran and performing the usual prayer movements.
- Rest: Take breaks after every four sets of rak’ahs to allow for recitation and reflection.
- Witr prayer: After finishing Taraweeh, conclude with Witr prayer, which is a separate odd-numbered prayer (usually one or three rak’ahs).
Additional Tips:
- Focus on quality:Â Prioritize proper recitation and understanding of the Quran over speed.
- Listen to the Imam: If praying in a mosque, follow the Imam’s lead in terms of length of recitations and breaks.
- Pray at your own pace: Don’t push yourself beyond your limits. Choose a number of rak’ahs you can comfortably pray throughout Ramadan.
Things to keep in mind:
- Purity: Ensure you’ve performed Wudu (ablution) before each set of two rak’ahs in Taraweeh.
- Dress Code: Wear clean and modest clothing for prayer.
- Congregation: Taraweeh is traditionally prayed in congregation at the mosque, but you can pray it at home if unable to attend.
- Women: Women can pray Taraweeh at home or in the mosque’s designated area for women, depending on their comfort level.
- Children:Â It’s commendable to encourage children to participate in Tarawih, but be patient with them and allow them breaks as needed.
Making Tarawih Meaningful:
- Focus on quality over quantity: Praying fewer rak’ahs with proper focus and recitation is more rewarding than rushing through many.
- Listen to the Quran: Pay attention to the meaning of what you recite. If needed, use translations or listen to recitations with translations alongside.
- Make dua: Include supplications (dua) in your prayers, expressing gratitude and seeking Allah’s (SWT) blessings.
- Community: Taraweeh can be a social experience. If praying at the mosque, greet your fellow worshippers and build connections within your community.
Additional Practices:
- Night Prayers (Tahajjud): Consider performing Tahajjud prayers, optional night prayers offered in the last third of the night.
- Quran Recitation: Increase your Quran recitation throughout Ramadan, aiming for consistent reading or listening to the Quran.
- Charity: Ramadan is a time for increased generosity. Give alms (Zakat) and donate to charitable causes.
By incorporating these practices alongside Taraweeh, you can make Ramadan a truly enriching spiritual experience.
