What is The Importance of Salat Taraweeh in Ramazan?

Salat taraweeh begins for many of us the same way: a cold night, a warm masjid, and that familiar question—“Can I really keep this up for the whole month?” In the UK and USA, Ramadan nights often come after long commutes, late shifts, and tired bodies. Yet people still show up, chasing light.

Amazon pick for a practical Ramadan routine: Ramadan Tracker: Prayer, Fasting, Taraweeh, Tahajjud

Why this prayer feels like a “startup” that suddenly goes viral

Think of Ramadan as a new launch. Everyone wants a better year, but the usual habits don’t always stick. Night prayer becomes the “product” people need—simple, repeatable, and powerful. That’s why Tarawih spreads fast. It solves a real problem: how to keep the heart awake when life feels heavy.

If you want a quick background on how Tarawih is understood in general writing, this overview of the Tarawih prayer tradition can help you get oriented.

What Salat al Taraweeh actually is

A simple definition (no heavy wording)

Salat al taraweeh is the special night prayer Muslims pray in Ramadan after ‘Isha. It’s usually prayed in congregation, in sets of two rak‘ahs. In many communities, the Qur’an is recited in longer portions, which gives the nights their unique Ramadan feeling.

Why it’s called “taraweeh”

The word points to rest and pauses. People would take short breaks because the prayer can be longer than usual. That’s also why you’ll see water bottles, quiet stretching, and gentle breathing between sets—especially in packed UK masjids and busy USA Islamic centers.

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What is The Importance of Salat Taraweeh in Ramazan? Azkar, Beautiful Dua, Dua, Dua in Arabic, Quranic Duain, Supplications, Tarawih

Quran verses that support the spirit of night prayer

Tarawih is rooted in the wider Qur’anic push toward night worship, reflection, and recitation. These verses are often used to understand why Ramadan nights feel so special:

Surah Al-Isra (17:79) — “And from part of the night, pray with it as extra worship for you; it may be that your Lord will raise you to a praised station.”
(A simple reference page that includes this verse in English can be found in this Quran Mualim night-prayer guide.)
Surah Al-Muzzammil (73:20) — “So recite what is easy for you of the Qur’an…”
(This verse is commonly quoted to show mercy and flexibility in night worship, and it’s also referenced in the same Quran Mualim guide on night prayer and ease.)

A helpful reminder for beginners: the Qur’an encourages effort, but it also builds in ease. That’s exactly how Ramadan worship stays sustainable.

Hadith evidence, with names, numbers, and simple meaning

These narrations are among the most quoted when explaining why Muslims stand in prayer during Ramadan nights:

1) The big promise of Ramadan night prayer

Source: Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 2008
English meaning: Whoever stands in prayer during Ramadan with faith and hoping for reward will be forgiven past sins. Read it here: Bukhari’s narration on Ramadan night prayer.

2) Why the Prophet ﷺ didn’t keep leading it publicly every night

Source: Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1129
English meaning: The Prophet ﷺ stopped leading the congregation regularly because he feared it might become obligatory.
See the wording here: the report explaining the Prophet’s concern.

3) The community model that became established under ‘Umar (ra)

Source: Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith 1375 (numbering may vary by edition)
English meaning: ‘Umar (ra) gathered people behind one reciter in Ramadan, creating a steady congregational practice.
One accessible reference is: Abi Dawud on organizing the Ramadan night prayer.

A quick table for real-life questions

Real question people ask	Simple answer	What it means in daily life
“Is it compulsory?”	It’s strongly recommended, not fard	Don’t feel crushed if you miss some nights
“Do I have to pray 20?”	Communities differ	Follow your masjid’s system and keep your heart calm
“Can I pray at home?”	Yes	Helpful for parents, students, and shift workers
“Is shorter Tarawih still valid?”	Yes	Consistency beats burnout

The Hanafi approach in everyday language

In Hanafi practice, taraweeh namaz is commonly prayed as 20 rak‘ahs, in pairs of two. Many Hanafi scholars also emphasize completing one full Qur’an recitation across the month in Tarawih, especially in congregation when possible.

A clear Hanafi discussion can be found in this Q&A: the Hanafi view on completing Qur’an in Taraweeh.

Hanafi scholars’ books (PDF titles people often search for)

Here are well-known Hanafi reference works where Tarawih is discussed within the prayer chapters. These are commonly found in PDF libraries and Islamic study collections:

Mukhtasar al-Quduri — Imam Abu’l Husayn al-Quduri
Al-Ikhtiyar li Ta‘lil al-Mukhtar — Imam Abdullah al-Mawsili
Marāqī al-Falāh — Imam al-Shurunbulali
Fath al-Qadir — Imam Ibn al-Humam
Al-Lubab fi Sharh al-Kitab — Imam al-Maydani

How to make it sustainable (the “startup scaling” method)

If you try to do everything at maximum intensity from night one, you’ll crash. The smarter plan is to scale slowly. Here’s a simple way to build your routine:

Choose a baseline you can keep (even if it’s short).
Add more on weekends when you’re less rushed.
Protect the last ten nights with extra focus.
Keep your intention clean, even when energy is low.

Small tips that help more than you’d expect

Eat lighter at iftar on prayer nights
Bring water and stay hydrated between Maghrib and sleep
In the USA, arrive early—parking and space fill fast
In the UK, plan travel time and don’t let stress steal the reward

Where to learn in a simple, beginner-friendly way

If you prefer straightforward explanations and step-by-step guidance, many readers use www.quranmualim.com as an Islamic site for learning prayer routines and Ramadan worship in easy English.

For a broader understanding of Ramadan itself—fasting, timing, and global practice—Britannica’s overview is a helpful reference: Britannica’s Ramadan article.

Bringing it all together

By the time the month hits the middle nights, you learn something important: you’re not “failing” if you can’t do every night perfectly. You’re building a habit of returning to Allah. And that’s the real win. salat taraweeh is less about showing stamina and more about showing up.

In the final stretch, keep it simple. Keep it steady. If your heart stays present, your nights will carry you—right into Eid—with a stronger faith than you had at the start. salat taraweeh is a gift, and gifts are meant to be received with gratitude, not anxiety.