How to pray Taraweeh or offer Taraweeh. Taraweeh is a basic and pious act in Islam, offered by Muslims during the Holy Month of Ramadhan. In this article, you will learn about “How To Pray/ offer Taraweeh”, the Origin of Taraweeh, and what is the meaning of Taraweeh!
So, Taraweeh is an Arabic word that means “to rest and relax”. You can pray Taraweeh in the sets of two-Rakat each like you prays in your daily routine. There are some narrations of the Prophet (S.A.W) that support the opinion that Taraweeh is consists of twenty Rakat, and some narrations support the opinion that you can pray eight Rakats. All four Sunni schools of fiqh as narrate twenty Rakats of Taraweeh.
When to pray Taraweeh
The month of Ramadhan brings peace and unity to Muslim Community. People organize special gatherings to pray together. Ramadhan is a month of virtuousness and obligation. Muslims fast from Dawn until Dusk for the whole month of Ramadhan. It is a religious duty of all Muslims to fast for the whole month. On the other hand, Muslims also offer Taraweeh in the month of Ramadhan after Isha prayer. It is not an obligation but, Taraweeh has an immense value itself.
Muslims line up at night to pray Taraweeh together, right after Isha to observe a number of optional rakats of prayers and listen to and reflect on the recitation of the Quran and take the advantage of this pious meditation.
Taraweeh prayer
Taraweeh in Quran
It is obvious that if Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) valued Taraweeh's prayers, then the value of Taraweeh in the Quran will be more appraised. Below are some verses of the Quran mentioning the importance of the Taraweeh prayer
In the Quran, Allah Subhaana-Hu-Wa-Ta'aala says
And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace. And those who spend [part of] the night to their Lord prostrating and standing [in prayer]. [Quran 25: 63-64]
Normally, it is a bit difficult to stand in prayer at night alone, but it can be easy when done in the congregation (in the form of Taraweeh).
Here is another Ayat for those who fear Allah Subhaana-Hu-Wa-Ta'aala
“They arise from [there] beds; they supplicate to their Lord in fear and aspiration, and from what We have provided them, they spend.” [As-Sajdah: 16]
Taraweeh in Hadiths
Sunnah is basically the true meaning of living according to Islam, Sunnah showed people how to lead a truthful and glorified life which will be a relief for Muslims in the world and the life hereafter.
"I heard Allah's Apostle saying regarding Ramadan, Whoever prayed at night in it (the month of Ramadan) out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven."۔ (Narrated Abu-Huraira)
Allah's Apostle said, "Whoever prayed at night the whole month of Ramadan out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven". Ibn Shihab (a sub-narrator) said," Allah's Apostle died and the people continued observing that (i.e. Nawafil offered individually, not in congregation), and it remained as it was during the Caliphate of Abu Bakr and in the early days of 'Umar's Caliphate." ۔ (Narrated Abu-Huraira)
Step 1 Make the Intention of Taraweeh.
You do not need to pronounce it vocally, but have the intention in your mind that you are praying Taraweeh.
Step 2 Raise your hands up to your ears and say Allah hu Akbar
This translates to "Allah is the greatest."
If you have some medical reasons, you are allowed to sit down.
There is an alternative opinion that the hands should be raised to the shoulders. Both ways are valid.
Step 3 Place your right hand over your left hand
Place your hands either on your navel, on your chest, or between the two; there's a difference of opinion between Islamic schools of jurisprudence. Again, all opinions are valid.
As you have started the prayer, you must stay focused.
Then fix your eyes on the place of prostration so that you don't look around.
It's greatly discouraging to look up when praying. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "People must stop raising their eyes to heaven during prayer, otherwise their sight will be taken away."
Step 4 Recite the Du'a al Istiftah
Start your Salah with Du'a al Istiftah that is Subhaana Kal'la Hum'ma Wa'bi Ham'dika Wa'Tabar Kas'muka Wa'Ta'aala Jad'duka Wala'Ilaaha Ghai'Ruk.
Step 5 Recite Surah al Fātiḥah
After Du'a Istiftah recite Surah Fateha and Surah Ikhlaas. These are key components of the prayer. You have to recite it in each of the two rak'ahs of Taraweeh.
Step 6Recite any other surah
It is encouraged for someone who has memorized the Qur'an to make each rak'ah lengthy by reciting a long surah. However, if you do not know that many surahs, you can recite the ones that you know, as long as you recite them in the correct order.
Step 7 Say "Allahu Akbar" and bend down
This is the ruku' position. Try to make your back as straight as possible, and keep relax your body. Your body does not need to be at a perfect 90-degree angle.
While bowing, say, Subhanna Rabbiyal Adheem three times. This means "Glorious is my Lord, the greatest."
Some schools of jurisprudence say that you should raise your hands and then go into ruku', while others do not. Both are valid opinions.
Step 8 Raise from ruku'
While rising up, recite Sami-Allah Huliman Hamidah. This means "Allah hears those who praise Him".
While standing up, recite Rabana Walakal Hamd (Our Lord, all praise is for you) once.
Some schools of jurisprudence say that you should raise your hands after you have raised back up, while others do not. Both are valid opinions.
Step 9 Say Allahu Akbar and prostrate
This is the sajdah position. Place your head, knees, and hands-on the floor.
Then recite Subhanna Rabbiyal A'laa (Glorious is my Lord, the Highest) three times.
Your forearms should not be on the floor.
Some schools of jurisprudence say that you should go into sajdah with your knees first, while others say you should go into sajdah with your hands first. Both are valid opinions.
Step 10 Rise from sajdah and sit on your knees
Place your left foot from ball to heel on the floor. Your right foot should be toes on the floor only. Place your hands flat on your thigh.
Step 11 Say Allahu Akbar and stand up
You have completed one rak'ah and you will need to complete another rak'ah.
Repeat all the above-explained steps and complete the second Rakat the same way.
Step 12 After the second sajdah in the second rak'ah, stay sitting
You need to recite certain du'as in this sitting position Tashahhud: At-tahiyyaatu Lillaahi wa-salaawaatu wa-tayyibaat. As-salaamu ‘alayka ayyuha-Nabiyyu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuhu. As-salaamu ‘alayna wa ‘ala ‘ibaad-illaah-is-saaliheen. Ash-hadu al-aa ilaaha ill-Allaah wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasooluhu
Durood: Allaahumma salli ‘ala Muhammad, wa ‘ala aali Muhammad, kama salayta ‘ala Ibraaheem, wa ‘ala aali Ibraaheem, innaka hameedun majeed. Allaahumma baarik ‘ala Muhammad, wa ‘ala aali Muhammad, kama baarakta ‘ala Ibraaheem, wa ‘ala aali Ibraaheem, innak hameedun majeed.
Step 13 Finish the prayer with tasleem
Turn your head to the right, and then the life, while saying "'As-salamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullah". Continue praying two-by-two, then end your Taraweeh with dua.
Rewards of praying Taraweeh
Allah Subhaana-Hu-Wa-Ta'aala created the Making to worship Him. Therefore, he also offered rewards for the people who fear in Him and worship Him truly. Praying itself has the magic to soothe one's soul and mind. Salah for Allah is an obligation for a Muslim. There is no running away from Salah. Salah plays an important role in leading a successful life here and in the peaceful eternal journey ahead. As we earlier mentioned that Hazrat Muhammad (S.A.W) said-
“Whoever establishes prayers during the nights of Ramadan faithfully out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah’s rewards (not for showing off), all his past sins will be forgiven.” [Bukhari: 37]
Another Hadith Justifying the benefits of Taraweeh is as below:
The Prophet ﷺ said, “Whoever draws nearer (to Allah) by performing any of the (optional) good deeds in (this month) shall receive the same reward as performing an obligatory deed at any other time, and whoever discharges an obligatory deed in (this month) shall receive the reward of performing seventy obligations at any other time.”
How Our Holly Prophet offered Tarawih
Mostly, The Holly Prophet (SAS) offered tarawih at home and the same was not congregational. More so, in the last Ramazan of Holly Prophet Life, he asked to offer tarawih in the Masjid, he offered the tarawih in Masjid in three consecutive days while on the fourth night people kept waiting of Holly Prophet, but he did not come. So, in the morning he said if he comes at night, the tarawih might have been obligatory.
Conclusion
Allah Subhaana-Hu-Wa-Ta'aala created mankind to worship Him. The Muslims worship Allah Subhaana-Hu-Wa-Ta'alaa in the form of Salah. Salah is an obligation that can't be ruled out but on the other hand. Sunnah and Nava'fil are not obligatory, but both offerings have multiple benefits. Taraweeh is a soulful act that Muslims perform during the Holy Month Of Ramadhan for the whole month. You can pray Taraweeh alone as well as in the congregation. It is preferred to perform in the form of a group behind one Imam (leader).
Taraweeh is prayed in a Two-Rakat pattern, depending on your strength and focus! Some say there is a 20 Rakat pattern and some say, you can pray in any even number Rakat pattern. The quality of prayer matters more than the quantity. you must be focused on the prayer, in this way if you offer Two-Rakat only wholeheartedly, it would be more than enough.
You can pray Taraweeh in the sets of two, you can choose to pray any even number of Rakat between eight to twenty Rakat for Taraweeh. There is no specific obligation to the recitation of the Quran during Taraweeh, you can recite any part of the Quran. The most important thing is that these prayers should be a means to bring you closer to Allah, so you should try to find out the meaning of what you are reciting in your prayers and make sure that you pray calmly and with full focus.
Quality of your prayer matter more than the quantity of your Salah. So make sure, whatever number of Rakat you pray, focus more on your soul and mind, and keep yourself FOCUSED!! Abdullah ibn Umar narrates that the Prophet ﷺ said “Prayers at night are to be offered two by two (two Rakat at a time). If any of you fears that the time of dawn is approaching, then let him pray one rak’ah as Witr.” Narration by Abdullah ibn Abbas “The Prophet (S.A.W) would pray 20 Rak’at and then within the month of Ramadan.”
Another Narration we have here says that; Abu Salama ibn Abd Ar Rahman (RA) narrated that he asked ‘Aisha (RA), “How was the prayer of Allah’s Messenger ﷺ in Ramadan?” She replied, “He did not pray more than eleven Rakat in Ramadan or in any other month. He used to pray four Rakat—let alone their beauty and length—and then he would pray four Rakat—let alone their beauty and length—and then he would pray three Rakat (witr).”
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