Tarawih

Tarawih prayer at

Tarawih (Arabic: صلاة التراويح‎, ṣalāt al-tarāwīḥ) is a special prayer performed by Muslims during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Unlike the five mandatory daily prayers, Tarawih is sunnah, meaning it is recommended but not obligatory. It is performed in congregation after the Isha (night) prayer during Ramadan. The prayer consists of a series of rak'ahs (units of Islamic prayers), which can vary in number depending on the tradition followed, but typically it involves 20 rak'ahs. The practice of Tarawih is believed to have been established by the Prophet Muhammad, with later generations standardizing its form.

History

The origins of Tarawih lie in the time of Prophet Muhammad, who prayed these extra rak'ahs during Ramadan nights. Initially, he prayed Tarawih in congregation, but fearing that it might become obligatory for his Ummah (community), he continued the practice privately. After his death, the second Caliph, Umar ibn al-Khattab, reinstated the practice of performing Tarawih in congregation, citing the Prophet's approval of the prayer. This established the communal aspect of Tarawih, which has been maintained by Muslims around the world.

Performance

Tarawih prayers are performed in pairs of two rak'ahs, similar to the morning prayer, but can be prayed in longer sets according to different schools of jurisprudence. After every four rak'ahs, it is customary to take a short break, known as Tarweeha, during which supplications and Dhikr (remembrance of Allah) are made. The entire Quran is often recited over the course of the month, with a portion of the Quran, known as a Juz, being recited each night, so that by the end of Ramadan, the whole Quran has been completed.

Variations

The number of rak'ahs in Tarawih prayers varies among different Islamic traditions. The most common practice is to perform 20 rak'ahs, following the example of Caliph Umar. However, some communities, particularly those following the Hanafi school of thought, may perform 8 rak'ahs, based on other hadiths attributed to the Prophet Muhammad. Additionally, in some regions, it is customary to perform a special set of prayers, known as Witr, to conclude the Tarawih prayers.

Significance

Tarawih prayers hold immense spiritual significance for Muslims. They are seen as an opportunity to come closer to Allah, seek forgiveness, and reflect on the meanings of the Quranic verses recited during the prayers. The communal aspect of Tarawih also strengthens the bonds within the Muslim community, as they gather nightly to worship together.

Controversies

While widely practiced, the performance of Tarawih has been subject to differing opinions among Islamic scholars. The main point of contention revolves around the number of rak'ahs and whether it is preferable to pray Tarawih at home or in a mosque. Despite these differences, Tarawih remains a cherished Ramadan tradition for Muslims worldwide.

See Also

• Ramadan
• Salat
• Isha prayer
• Islamic schools of jurisprudence