Taraweeh

Tarawih (), also spelled Taraweeh, refers to special Sunnah prayers performed exclusively during the Islamic month of Ramadan. The prayers involve the recitation of long portions of the Quran, consist of any number of even rak'a (cycles of prostration in an Islamic prayer), however most of the time either 8 or 20, and are often finished with the Witr prayer.

A key feature of Tarawih is the completion of the Quran during the month. The practice remains a significant aspect of Ramadan worship for many Muslims.

Overview

Tarawih prayers begin from the first Moon-sighted evening (the start of Ramadan) to second moon-sighted evening (the last day of Ramadan). This prayer is performed in congregation during Ramadan of the Islamic calendar, after Isha (and before witr, which is also prayed following the imam, who leads the prayer aloud in one or three rakats unlike for the eleven other months).

Tarawih prayers are prayed in pairs. According to the Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali schools of Sunni Islam, the standard number of rakats is twenty since it is referred to in a narration by '' Muwatta' Imam Malik'', which states, "In the time of Umar, the people used to offer 20 raka'āt." However, it clearly mentions in the before the said narration that when Umar assigned Ubay ibn Ka'b and Tamim al-Dari the duty lead the Tarawih, he ordered them to offer 11 raka'āt (eight of Tarawih and three of witr). Sunni Muslims believe it is customary to attempt a ''takmil'' ("complete recitation" of the Quran) as one of the religious observances of Ramadan, by reciting at least one ''juz''' per night in tarawih.

Tarawih prayers are considered Sunnah, or meritorious but not obligatory. However, it is believed that the reward for them is great, as it is the Sunnah of Muhammad and is reported in multiple authentic hadiths.

Muhammad, according to Abu Hurayra said, "Whoever stands with the imam (in Taraweeh prayer) until he finishes, it is equivalent to spending the whole night in prayer." The hadith was used as a proof by Imam Ahmad Bin Hanbal.

Background

Tarawih is a prayer that is mentioned in Sunni traditions as ''Qiyam al-Layl min Ramadan'' ("Standing of night in Ramadan") and ''Qiyam al-Ramadan'' ("Standing of Ramadan"). Some Sunni Muslims regard Tarawih as confirmed traditional prayers ('' sunnat al-mu'akkadah''). Other Sunni Muslims believe Tarawih is an optional prayer ('' nafl'') that may be performed at home. According to that tradition, Muhammad initially and briefly prayed the Tarawih in congregations during Ramadan but discontinued the practice out of concern it would be mandated (''fard'') though he never forbade it. When Umar was the caliph, he reinstated the praying of Tarawih in congregation.

Shia Muslims regard congregational Tarawih as an "innovation" (''bid‘ah'') that was reintroduced by Umar, according to his own words, after the death of Muhammad.

A Shia hadith, however, is claimed to have authenticated the Sunni prayer Taraweeh, but that is disputed since not all hadiths in ''Kitab al-Kafi'' are sahih (genuine):

Muhammad al-Bukhari narrated regarding the Tarawih prayer in ''Sahih al-Bukhari'':

Instead, Twelvers believe in the Tahajjud prayer, or ("night prayer"), which is recommended throughout the year, especially during the nights of Ramadan.

Other

On 3 January 2000, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad expressed regret that Tarawih prayers were used by certain people for political gain.

On 2 April 2022, hundreds of Muslims gathered in Times Square, New York City, to perform the first Tarawih prayers of Ramadhan. Before the prayers, over 1,500 meals were handed out to the people to break their fast, known as iftar. The event marked the first public Tarawih prayers to be held in Times Square.

References

Further reading

*John L. Esposito: ''The Oxford Dictionary of Islam''. Oxford University Press US 2004, , p. 276 ()

External links

Prayer Time in Egypt

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Fasting in Islam
Salah
Ramadan
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