A Step-by-Step Guide To Taraweeh Prayer - Learn Islam

Taraweeh prayer is the Ramadan habit that sneaks into your life like a gentle lantern—first one night, then another—until you realize the whole month is glowing. In the UK and USA, it often starts with a practical worry: “I’ve got work tomorrow… can I manage this?” Then you stand anyway, and something inside you steadies.

Amazon book suggestion: “Fiqh of Ramadan” (practical worship guide)

The “startup story” behind Tarawih nights

Every startup begins with a problem and a promise. Ramadan nights bring the problem: tired bodies, busy schedules, and a mind that won’t slow down. The promise is simple: if you show up for night prayer, even imperfectly, your heart gets rebuilt—quietly, steadily, like a project that finally scales.

To get a quick, general overview of Tarawih as a Ramadan practice, you can read this plain-language summary on Wikipedia.

Why it’s called “Tarawih” in the first place

The name points to rest breaks. Scholars explain that people used to pause after sets of rak‘ahs because the prayer could be long. That’s why many masjids still take a short breather after every four rak‘ahs—water, a stretch, a deep breath—then back into recitation.

In other words, the prayer’s very name carries mercy.

Quran guidance that supports night prayer (with English meaning)

Tarawih is connected to the Qur’an’s wider message about worship at night. The Qur’an doesn’t name Tarawih directly, but it clearly praises night prayer and recitation.

Key verses many scholars mention

Surah Al-Isra (17:79)
English meaning: “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.”
Surah Al-Muzzammil (73:20)
English meaning: “So recite what is easy for you of the Qur’an…”
(A reminder that night worship is encouraged, but never designed to crush you.)

If you want a simple, step-by-step Ramadan learning style, www.quranmualim.com is an Islamic site many people use for prayer guidance.

Categories: PRAYER ,ALMS , SAWN & The Holy Quran, Quran Jaz 1- 114

A Step-by-Step Guide To Taraweeh Prayer - Learn Islam , Azkar, Beautiful Dua, Dua, Dua in Arabic, Quranic Duain, Supplications, Tarawih

Hadith references that explain Tarawih clearly

Here are the narrations most often used when people ask how the Prophet ﷺ prayed at night, and why Ramadan night prayer became a community habit.

1) The Prophet’s night prayer pattern in Ramadan

Source: Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1147
English meaning: ‘Aishah (ra) described that the Prophet ﷺ did not exceed eleven rak‘ahs in Ramadan or outside it, praying four, then four, then three (witr), with exceptional calm and length.
Read it here: Bukhari 1147 on the Prophet’s Ramadan night prayer.

2) Why he stopped leading it publicly every night

Source: Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1129
English meaning: The Prophet ﷺ didn’t come out on later nights because he feared it might be made obligatory on the community. Read it here: Bukhari 1129 on fear of it becoming mandatory.

3) Another wording of the same night-prayer description

Source: Sahih Muslim, Hadith 738a
English meaning: ‘Aishah (ra) again describes the Prophet’s night prayer as eleven rak‘ahs, with unmatched quality and presence. Read it here: Muslim 738a describing the eleven rak‘ahs.

Taraweeh Prayer time and how it fits into your evening

Here’s the simple rule most mosques follow: Tarawih is prayed after ‘Isha, and many communities end the night with Witr.

In the UK, timings can feel late when nights are short. In parts of the USA, distances and work schedules make it harder to attend every night. That’s why it helps to plan your week like a sensible routine, not a sudden sprint.

For a wider context on Ramadan’s timing and how the month is observed globally, Britannica’s Ramadan overview is a solid reference.

How to pray tarawee (the beginner-friendly way)

If you’re literally searching “how to pray tarawee” because you’re new, here’s the simple method people follow in most masjids:

Pray ‘Isha first.
Make intention for voluntary night prayer in Ramadan.
Pray two rak‘ahs at a time (like normal sunnah prayers).
Follow the imam’s pace and sit during the breaks.
End with Witr (often led by the imam).

Helpful tips that make a big difference

Don’t fight the length—focus on one ayah at a time.
If your legs hurt, adjust your stance and stay calm.
If you miss a night, come back the next night without guilt.

A practical comparison table (so you can choose what works)

Situation (UK/USA real life)	Best approach	Why it helps
You work early mornings	Pray some nights at home	Consistency stays alive
You commute long distances	Attend weekends and last 10 nights	Higher impact, less burnout
You’re new to long recitation	Choose a shorter masjid or pray fewer rak‘ahs	Keeps your heart present
Family with kids	Split the routine (one parent attends, one prays at home)	Ramadan stays peaceful
You feel pressure about “20 vs 8”	Follow your community, avoid arguments	Unity protects worship

The Hanafi view in plain words

Many Hanafi scholars describe Tarawih as an emphasized Sunnah in Ramadan and commonly support 20 rak‘ahs in congregation. In practice, this is why you’ll see 20 rak‘ahs in many South Asian communities across the UK and in many USA mosques with Hanafi leadership.

At the same time, the core goal remains the same: standing in worship during Ramadan nights with focus and sincerity.

Hanafi reference books (PDF titles commonly available)

Here are well-known Hanafi works where Tarawih is discussed under the prayer chapters. These titles are different from the earlier lists and are often found in Islamic PDF libraries:

Al-Jawharah al-Nayyirah — Imam al-Haddadi
Hashiyah al-Tahtawi ‘ala Maraqi al-Falah — Imam Ahmad al-Tahtawi
Majma‘ al-Anhur — Imam Shaykhzadeh (Shaykh Zada)
Al-Fatawa al-Tatarkhaniyyah — compiled Hanafi jurists
Al-Binayah Sharh al-Hidayah — Imam al-‘Ayni

Keeping it sustainable (the “smart scaling” plan)

Most people don’t quit Tarawih because they don’t love it. They quit because they try to do everything at full intensity from night one. A better plan is to scale like a healthy business:

Baseline: 2–4 rak‘ahs on busy nights
Growth: longer nights on weekends
Peak: last ten nights with extra care
Maintenance: protect sleep so you don’t collapse

Conclusion: make it yours, and keep moving forward

When Ramadan ends, the strongest people aren’t the ones who “never missed.” They’re the ones who learned how to return, again and again, without drama. Taraweeh Prayer is meant to lift you, not to frighten you with pressure. Keep your intention clean, your routine realistic, and your heart brave.

If you start tonight, you’re already ahead. Taraweeh prayer rewards the one who shows up, even quietly. And Taraweeh Prayer—done with sincerity—can change the way your whole year feels.

FAQs

1) What is the best Taraweeh Prayer time?

It is prayed after ‘Isha. Many mosques finish with Witr. If you’re praying at home, you can pray after ‘Isha any time before Fajr.

2) Do I have to pray 20 rak‘ahs?

Different communities follow different scholarly views. If you’re in a Hanafi masjid, you’ll often see 20. The most important thing is sincerity and consistency.

3) Can I pray Tarawih at home in the UK or USA?

Yes. It’s valid at home, especially if travel, safety, childcare, or work makes the masjid difficult.

4) What if I don’t know long surahs?

Recite what you know. Short surahs are fine. You can also read from memory gradually as you improve.

5) Is it okay to leave early from congregation?

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