How to Pray Tarawih

How to Pray Tarawih – A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Ramadan is a month of mercy and blessings, and one of its most cherished acts of worship is Tarawih prayer. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said, 

“Whoever prays during the nights of Ramadan with faith and seeking reward, his past sins will be forgiven.”

“من قام رمضان إيمانًا واحتسابًا، غُفر له ما تقدم من ذنبه”

 As the holy month approaches, many Muslims wonder How to pray Tarawih, whether they are beginners or simply need a refresher on its steps and significance.

In this easy guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know about praying Tarawih at home, from its virtues and rewards to a step-by-step method to help you perform it with confidence. Keep reading to learn the proper way to offer this special prayer and maximize your spiritual benefits this Ramadan!

What is Tarawih?

Tarawih is a special voluntary prayer performed at night during Ramadan after the Isha prayer. The word “Tarawih” comes from the Arabic root meaning rest or relaxation, as this prayer is traditionally prayed in sets with short breaks in between.

Since it is a highly recommended Sunnah, mosques around the world hold congregational Tarawih prayers every night throughout Ramadan for both men and women. Many believe that praying Tarawih consistently during this blessed month brings immense rewards and forgiveness of past sins.

Whether prayed in the masjid or at home, Tarawih is a beautiful way to strengthen your connection with Allah and make the most of Ramadan’s spiritual blessings.

What AreThe Rewards of Tarawih?

Performing solat tarawih is one of the most rewarding acts of worship in Ramadan, offering a unique opportunity for spiritual purification and divine forgiveness. The Prophet ﷺ promised that whoever prays Tarawih with sincere faith and the hope of reward will have their past sins forgiven.

This makes it a powerful means of seeking Allah’s mercy and strengthening one’s connection with Him. Additionally, praying Tarawih follows the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ, as his companions and the righteous generations after them diligently observed this special prayer.

Whether performed in the mosque or at home, Tarawih allows believers to immerse themselves in the beauty of the Quran, engage in deep reflection, and increase their devotion during this blessed month.

Sabil Al-Quran

How many Rakats is the Taraweeh prayer?

Tarawih prayer is performed in sets of two rak’ats at a time, similar to other voluntary prayers. One of the beautiful aspects of Tarawih is that it allows for short breaks after every four rak’ats, making it easier to maintain focus and devotion.

There is a difference of opinion regarding the total number of rak’ats in Tarawih. Some narrations mention 8 rak’ats, while others state 12 or 20 rak’ats. In most mosques, the imam typically leads 20 rak’ats, as this is supported by all four major schools of thought. However, since Tarawih is a voluntary prayer, you can pray according to what you are able to perform comfortably.

Curious about how to pray Tarawih? Follow this simple guide to perform Tarawih prayer correctly and experience its spiritual blessings

How to Pray Tarawih?

Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to perform the Tarawih prayer according to the Hanafi school of thought:

  1. Prepare for Prayer:

Ensure you have performed wudu (ablution) before starting your prayer. Wear appropriate clothing that covers your awrah (modesty). For men, this means covering from the navel to the knees, while women should cover everything except the hands, feet, and face.

  1. Find a Clean Space:

Stand on a prayer mat or any clean area, facing the Qiblah (Ka‘bah in Makkah). If you are in the UK, the Qiblah is towards the southeast, and you can use mobile apps to find the exact direction. If standing is difficult, you can pray while sitting.

  1. Make Your Intention (Niyyah):

Verbally or silently intend to perform two rak‘ahs of Tarawih for Allah, facing the Ka‘bah. Example intention: “I intend to pray two rak‘ahs for Tarawih for the sake of Allah, facing the Ka‘bah.”

  1. Begin Prayer:

Raise your hands to your earlobes (for men) or shoulders (for women) and say “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the Greatest).

  1. Place Your Hands:

Men: Right hand over the left below the navel. Women: Right hand over the left on the chest.

  1. Recite the Opening Supplication:

“SubhanaK-Allahumma wa bihamdiKa, wa tabaarak-asmuKa, wa ta-‘aala jadduKa, wa la ilaaha illa ghayruK.” (O Allah, glory and praise are for You. Blessed is Your Name, exalted is Your Majesty, and there is no god but You.)

  1. Seek Refuge from Shaytan: Say:

“A‘udhu billahi min ash-Shaytanir rajeem. Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem.” (I seek refuge in Allah from the rejected Satan. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.)

  1. Recite Surah Al-Fatihah:

After reciting Surah Al-Fatihah, say “Amin” at the end.

  1. Recite Any Other Surah:

The minimum recitation is three short verses or one long verse equal in length to three short verses.

  1. Perform Ruku (Bowing):

Say “Allahu Akbar” and bow. Place your hands on your knees and keep your back straight. Recite “Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem” (Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great) three times.

  1. Rise from Ruku:

Say “Sami‘ Allahu liman hamidaH” (Allah hears those who praise Him). Say “Rabbana laka Alhamd” (O our Lord, all praise belongs to You).

  1. Perform Sujood (Prostration):

Say “Allahu Akbar” and prostrate. Ensure your forehead, nose, palms, knees, and toes touch the ground. Recite “Subhana Rabbiyal A‘la” (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High) three times.

  1. Sit for a Moment:

Say “Allahu Akbar” and sit. Place palms on knees, sit on the left foot, and keep the right foot upright. Women should lean on their left hip with toes pointing right.

  1. Repeat Sujood:

Perform another prostration while saying “Allahu Akbar” and repeat step 12.

  1. Stand Up for the Next Rak‘ah:

Say “Allahu Akbar” and stand up for the second rak‘ah. Repeat steps 8-14 for the second rak‘ah.

  1. Sit for Tashahhud After Two Rak‘ahs: Recite:

“At-tahiyyatu lillahi, was-salawatu, wat-tayyibat…” (All compliments, prayers, and goodness belong to Allah…)

  1. Declare Your Faith: Say:

“Ashhadu an laa ilaaha illallah wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduHu wa rasooluh.” (I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His servant and messenger.)

  1. Send Salutations on the Prophet (Salawat): Recite:

“Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala aali Muhammad…” (O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and his family…)

  1. Make a Supplication (Dua): Example:

“Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-aakhirati hasanatan wa qina ‘adhaban-naar.” (O our Lord, grant us good in this world and in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.)

  1. End the Prayer (Tasleem): Turn to the right and say:

“Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah” (Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you). Turn to the left and repeat: “Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah.”

With this, you have completed the first two rak‘ahs of Tarawih prayer. Repeat the steps for every two rak‘ahs until you complete the required number of rak‘ahs.

Sabil Al-Quran

Can Taraweeh be Performed at Home?

Yes, Taraweeh can be performed at home, whether individually or in congregation with your family. Although it is commonly prayed in mosques, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) performed most of his Taraweeh prayers at home, as it was not a nightly congregational prayer during his lifetime.

Therefore, even in normal circumstances without restrictions, you can comfortably pray Taraweeh at home, either alone or with your family members.

Is it Necessary to Recite the Entire Quran During Tarawih?

Many mosques follow the tradition of completing the entire Qur’an during Tarawih by reciting one Juz each night throughout Ramadan. This practice is inspired by the Prophet ﷺ, who would review the Qur’an with Jibril (AS) every Ramadan and twice in his final Ramadan. Since Ramadan is the month of the Qur’an, it is encouraged to increase recitation as much as possible.

However, reciting the entire Qur’an in Tarawih is not obligatory. You can recite any portion of the Qur’an that you know, as sincerity and devotion in prayer are what truly matter. Don’t worry if you haven’t memorized many Surahs!

Is There a Special Taraweeh Prayer Dua?

There is no specific du’a that must be recited during or after Taraweeh. You are free to make any du’a of your choice, whether after every four rak‘at or upon completing the entire prayer. These supplications can come from the Qur’an, the Sunnah, or be personal prayers from your heart.

In many mosques, worshippers recite words of remembrance during short breaks after every four rak‘at. You may often find these displayed in the masjid. One such supplication is:

“سُبْحانَ ذِي الْمُلْكِ وَالْمَلَكُوتِ، سُبْحانَ ذِي الْعِزَّةِ وَالْعَظْمَةِ وَالْهَيْبَةِ وَالْقُدْرَةِ وَالْكِبْرِياءِ وَالْجَبَرُوْتِ”

Exalted is the Possessor of the hidden and the manifest dominion. Exalted is the Possessor of Might, Greatness, Reverence, Power, Pride, and Majesty.

Another commonly recited supplication asks for protection from Hellfire:

“اللَّهُمَّ أَجِرْنا مِنَ النّارِ يا مُجيرُ يا مُجيرُ يا مُجيرُ”

O Allah, grant us refuge from the Hellfire, O Granter of refuge, O Granter of refuge, O Granter of refuge.

 In Conclusion, Performing Tarawih prayer is a beautiful way to connect with Allah and deepen your spirituality during Ramadan. Whether at home or in the mosque, consistency and sincerity matter most. For more guidance on how to pray Tarawih, visit Sabil Al Quran and enhance your prayer experience.

Sabil Al-Quran

FAQ about How To Pray Tarawih

Can I pray only 2 rakat Taraweeh?

Taraweeh is performed in sets of two rak’ahs at a time, with a short rest after every four. While some narrations mention 8 rak’ahs, others suggest 12 or 20 rak’ahs as a complete Taraweeh prayer.

Can I pray Taraweeh without Witr?

It is permissible for the imam to lead Taraweeh without praying Witr, allowing the congregation to perform Witr later in the night. This practice aligns with the hadith reported by an-Nasa’i, at-Tirmidhi, Abu Dawood, and Ibn Majah, which encourages completing night prayers for greater rewards.

Can I pray Taraweeh alone?

In Al-Majmu’, Imam al-Nawawi stated that Taraweeh prayer is a Sunnah according to the majority of scholars. It can be performed individually or in congregation, offering flexibility in worship.

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