Tarawih in Ramadan: History and Practice

Introduction

Tarawih (تراويح) is the voluntary night prayer prayed in congregation during the month of Ramadan, immediately after the obligatory Isha prayer. Its name derives from the Arabic word rawh (rest), because the Companions would rest between every four rak'ahs.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: "Whoever prays during Ramadan with faith and seeking reward, his previous sins will be forgiven" (Bukhari 37, Muslim 759).

The Prophetic Sunnah

During the life of the Prophet ﷺ, Tarawih was prayed individually and optionally, but the Prophet went out one night and prayed in the mosque; a group followed him. The next night he went out again and the group grew. The third night, the Companions filled the mosque, but the Prophet did not come out. In the morning he explained:

"I saw what you did, and nothing prevented me from coming out except the fear that it would be prescribed (made obligatory) for you" (Bukhari 1129, Muslim 761).

For this reason, after the Prophet, Tarawih remained a Sunnah Mu'akkadah (strongly recommended prophetic tradition) and not an obligation.

Umar's institutionalisation

During the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab (second caliph, 634-644 CE), the Companions prayed Tarawih in small dispersed groups. Umar, seeing this dispersion, gathered everyone under a single imam — Ubayy ibn Ka'b — in the mosque. This was the first institutionalisation of Tarawih in fixed congregation:

Abd al-Rahman ibn Abdul-Qari related: "I went out with Umar ibn al-Khattab one Ramadan night to the mosque and saw the people dispersed. A man prayed alone, and a man prayed with a group beside him. Umar said: 'I think if I gather them under a single imam, it would be better.' Then he gathered them under Ubayy ibn Ka'b. On another night I went out, and the people prayed behind their imam; Umar said: 'This is a good innovation (ni'mat al-bid'a hadhihi)'" (Bukhari, Muwatta of Malik).

The expression "good innovation" refers to its organisational form, not to introducing a new worship — it was already a Prophetic sunnah prayed individually; Umar gathered the people in congregation.

Number of rak'ahs — the debate

There are two dominant traditions:

1. 20 rak'ahs

The practice of most Companions after the Prophet. Testimonies from Imam Malik in the Muwatta, Sa'id ibn al-Musayyab, and Umar ibn al-Khattab himself, indicate that they prayed 20 rak'ahs. This practice spread in the central Islamic lands and is followed today by the majority of Sunnis (especially Hanafi, Shafi'i, Hanbali).

2. 8 rak'ahs + witr

A second tradition goes back to Aisha, who narrated that the Prophet ﷺ did not pray more than 11 rak'ahs whether in Ramadan or out of it (Bukhari 1163). However, this hadith refers to individual Tahajjud, not to congregational Tarawih. Those who opt for 8 rak'ahs follow this prophetic practice directly.

Harmonious resolution

Sunni scholars: "Both 8 and 20 are valid; the difference is a matter of legal custom, not of differing doctrine." The important thing is to pray with sincerity, concentration, and tranquillity.

Where to pray Tarawih

Traditionally it is prayed:

• In the mosque with the imam — "Whoever prays with the imam until he finishes, it will be written as if he prayed the whole night" (Tirmidhi 806).
• In the absence of a mosque, in a community hall with congregation.
• At home as last resort, individually or as a family.

Witr after Tarawih

Witr is the odd prayer at the end of any night prayer. Schools differ:

• Hanbalis, Shafi'is, Hanafis: pray Witr after Tarawih as a separate closure.
• Malikis: Witr is part of Tarawih itself, without distinction.

The important thing: do not let Witr pass, it is a highly recommended Prophetic sunnah.

Women and Tarawih

The Prophet ﷺ said: "Do not prevent Allah's female servants from attending Allah's mosques" (Muslim 442c). Women may attend Tarawih at the mosque if it facilitates concentration. Their attendance however is optional, and home is considered better for them, according to the majority.

Practical advice

• Arrive early to obtain the first row.
• Maintain wudu and keep your belongings safe.
• Recite tasbih during the rests (if any).
• If the imam is too fast and you cannot concentrate, seek another mosque with a more manageable pace.
• Read the translation of what the imam recites to increase your concentration.
• Do not abandon Tarawih for perfection — two daily rak'ahs are better than none.

Conclusion

Tarawih is one of the most blessed acts of Ramadan — a monthly school of nearness to Allah, training in patience, and communion with the Ummah. It gathers Islamic theology, community, spirituality, and discipline into a single night experience.