How to Pray Taraweeh in Ramadan
Taraweeh is the voluntary night prayer of Ramadan, prayed after Isha in sets of two rakats: 8 or 20 rakats followed by Witr, in the mosque or at home.
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Taraweeh Rakats: 8 or 20?
Both counts are practised today and both have scholarly support. Neither is “more valid” than the other; many people simply follow their mosque or school.
| View | Rakats | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| 8 + Witr | 8 (11 with 3 Witr) | Aisha said the Prophet ﷺ did not pray more than 11 rakats in Ramadan or outside it (Bukhari, Muslim). |
| 20 + Witr | 20 (23 with 3 Witr) | The practice from the time of Umar ibn al-Khattab, when the people were gathered behind one imam. Followed by the Hanafi, Shafi’i and Hanbali schools. |
| 36 + Witr | 36 (39 with 3 Witr) | The practice of the people of Madinah, reported in the Maliki school, which also accepts 20 and 11. |
Several scholars, including Ibn Taymiyyah, said the matter is broad: the best number depends on how long the worshippers can stand, so fewer rakats with long recitation and more rakats with shorter recitation are both sound.
How to Pray Taraweeh Step by Step
- Pray Isha and its sunnah first. Taraweeh comes after Isha.
- Make the intention in your heart to pray Taraweeh (the night prayer of Ramadan). No words are required.
- Pray two rakats like any voluntary prayer: Al-Fatiha and a surah in each, one tashahhud after the second rakah, then the salam.
- Repeat in sets of two until you reach 8 or 20 rakats. The name comes from the rests between sets: taraweeh means “rests”, and early generations rested after every four rakats.
- Close the night with Witr (1 or 3 rakats, according to your school).
- There is no required list of surahs. In mosques the Quran is often recited in portions so it is completed over the month; at home, recite whatever you know.
When Is Taraweeh Prayed?
Taraweeh is prayed after Isha and any time until Fajr. It begins on the first night of Ramadan, that is the night before the first day of fasting, and is prayed every night of the month.
Can You Pray Taraweeh at Home or Alone?
Yes. Taraweeh is a confirmed sunnah, not an obligation, and it is valid prayed alone or at home. The Prophet ﷺ prayed it in the mosque for a few nights, then stayed home because he feared it would be made obligatory on the community (Bukhari, Muslim). Umar later gathered the people behind one imam. Many scholars say congregation in the mosque is better for men, while women may pray at home, and anyone with a valid reason is excused.
The hard part at home is keeping count without an imam. See how to keep count of Taraweeh at home.
The Reward of Taraweeh
The Prophet ﷺ said: whoever stands in prayer in Ramadan out of faith and seeking reward, his previous sins are forgiven (Bukhari, Muslim). He also said that whoever stands with the imam until he finishes, it is recorded for him as a whole night of prayer (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi), which is why many people stay for Witr.
Taraweeh and Tahajjud
Taraweeh is the Ramadan form of the night prayer (qiyam al-layl), prayed after Isha. Tahajjud is the night prayer after waking from sleep. Scholars differ on whether they are one prayer prayed at different times; in practice many people pray Taraweeh and then add Tahajjud in the last third of the night. See the Tahajjud guide.
Keeping Count When You Pray Alone
Prayer Memory has a Taraweeh mode that tracks 12-rakaa prayers through the night, and Apple Watch gives a silent haptic tap so you can keep your attention on the recitation. A manual counter works too, offline and with no account. Get it on the App Store or Google Play.
Sources
- General guidance from widely cited hadith. The schools differ on some details, so follow a scholar you trust for your own case.
- Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim: Aisha on the Prophet’s night prayer not exceeding 11 rakats; the Prophet praying in the mosque for some nights then stopping.
- Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim: forgiveness for whoever stands in Ramadan out of faith and seeking reward.
- Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi: standing with the imam until he finishes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Taraweeh is 8 or 20 rakats, followed by Witr. 8 follows Aisha’s hadith (11 with 3 Witr). 20 is the practice from Umar’s time followed by the Hanafi, Shafi’i and Hanbali schools. Both are valid.
No. Taraweeh is a confirmed sunnah, not an obligation, but it is highly recommended and carries great reward.
Yes. Women may pray Taraweeh at home, and many do. Praying it in the mosque is also allowed.
No. Reciting the whole Quran over Ramadan in congregation is a good custom, but it is not required. At home you can recite whatever you know.
Yes. Taraweeh can be prayed at any time between Isha and Fajr, though praying it after Isha with the congregation is the common practice.
Count in sets of two and use something outside your head to track them. Prayer Memory’s Taraweeh mode keeps count through the night with silent haptic taps on Apple Watch, and a manual counter is available too.
Never lose count in salah again
Prayer Memory keeps the count for you, silently, so you can give your attention to the prayer. Free to download, with an optional Pro upgrade inside the app.
