How to Pray Taraweeh | Step-by-Step Guide 2026

How to Pray Taraweeh: Taraweeh is a special prayer performed by Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan. It is a Sunnah Mu’akkadah, meaning a highly recommended practice established by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to perform Taraweeh, drawing from the Quran and authentic Hadiths.

What is Taraweeh?

Taraweeh refers to the voluntary night prayers conducted after the obligatory Isha (evening) prayer during Ramadan. The term “Taraweeh” is derived from the Arabic word for “rest” or “relaxation,” indicating the brief pauses taken after every four rak’ahs (units of prayer). This practice offers Muslims an opportunity to engage in additional worship, seek forgiveness, and recite the Quran extensively throughout the blessed month.

Why is Taraweeh Important?

Observing Taraweeh holds significant spiritual benefits. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

“Whoever stands in prayer during Ramadan out of faith and seeking reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.”

This Hadith emphasizes the virtue of performing night prayers during Ramadan, promising forgiveness for past sins.

What is the Significance of Taraweeh?

Observing Taraweeh holds immense spiritual benefits. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

“Whoever stands in prayer during Ramadan out of faith and seeking reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.”

This Hadith underscores the importance of performing Taraweeh with sincere faith and the hope of earning Allah’s reward.

When is the Optimal Time to Perform Taraweeh?

Taraweeh is performed after the Isha prayer and before the Witr prayer. It can be observed individually at home or collectively in a mosque. The Prophet (peace be upon him) led Taraweeh in congregation on a few occasions but primarily performed it at home to avoid it becoming obligatory upon his followers.

How to pray Taraweeh Step by Step

# Step 1: Prepare for Prayer

• Make sure you have wudu (ablution).

• Wear loose clothing that covers your awrah (for women: everything except the face, hands, and feet).

• Find a clean and quiet place to pray, like a prayer mat.

• Intention is made in the heart. You do not need to say it out loud. Simply intend in your heart that you are praying Taraweeh for the sake of Allah during Ramadan. For example, think: “I am praying two rakats of Taraweeh for Allah.” That is enough.

# Step 2: Face the Qiblah

• Stand facing the Qiblah (the direction of the Ka‘bah in Makkah).

• If you are sick or unable to stand, you may pray sitting down.

# Step 3: Make Your Intention (Niyyah)

• Make your intention in your heart.

• You can say quietly:

  “I intend to pray two rak‘ahs of Taraweeh for Allah.”

There is no need to shout. Allah knows your intention.

# Step 4: Start the Prayer

• Raise your hands to your shoulders. (see image 1)

• Say: Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest).

• Place your right hand over your left hand on your chest. (see Image 2)

Now your prayer has begun.

# Step 5: Opening Dua

Quietly recite:

Subhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika wa tabarakasmuka, wa ta’ala jadduka wa la ilaha ghairuk
(Glorious You are O Allah, and with Your praise, and blessed is Your Name, and exalted is Your majesty, and none has the right to be worshipped but You.)

# Step 6: Seek Protection & Say Bismillah

Recite quietly:

• Auzubillah Minashaitan Nirajeem

• Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem

# Step 7: Recite Surah Al-Fatiha

Recite Surah Al-Fatiha, then say Ameen softly.

# Step 8: Recite Another Surah

Recite any short surah you know (for example, Surah Ikhlas, Falaq, or Nas).
You may read longer surahs in Taraweeh if you wish.

# Step 9: Go into Ruku (Bowing)

• Say Allahu Akbar and bow down. (see image 3)

• Keep your back straight and hands on your knees.

• Say at least three times:

  Subhana Rabbiyal ‘Adheem
  (Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great)

# Step 10: Stand Back Up

• Stand straight and say:

  Sami‘Allahu liman hamidah
  Then say:
  Rabbana lakal hamd

# Step 11: Go into Sujud (Prostration)

• Say Allahu Akbar and go into sujud.

• Your forehead, nose, palms, knees, and toes should touch the ground. (see image 4)

• Say three times:

  Subhana Rabbiyal A‘la
  (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High)

# Step 12: Sit Between the Two Sujud

• Say Allahu Akbar and sit. (see image 5)

• Sit leaning slightly to your left side with both feet pointing to the right.

• Then say Allahu Akbar and go into sujud again.

• Repeat the same tasbeeh three times.

You have now completed one rak‘ah.

# Step 13: Second Rak‘ah

• Stand up, saying Allahu Akbar.

• Repeat the same steps:

  • Surah Al-Fatihah

  • Another Surah

  • Ruku

  • Sujud (two times)

# Step 14: Sit for Tashahud

After the second sujud, sit down and recite:

At-tahiyyatu Lillahi wa-salawatu wa’t-tayyibat, as-salamu ‘alayka ayyuha’n-Nabiyyu wa rahmat-Allahi wa barakatuhu. As-salamu ‘alayna wa ‘alaa ‘ibad-Illah is-saliheen. ashhadu alla ilaha illallah wa ashhadu anna muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasuluhu.

Note: You may raise your right index finger when saying la ilaha illallah. (see image 6)

# Step 15: Send Blessings (Durood)

Recite:

Allahumma Salli ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala aali Muhammadin, kama sallaita ‘ala Ibrahima wa ‘ala aali Ibrahima innaka Hamidum-Majeed. Allahumma barik ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala aali Muhammadin kama barakta ‘ala Ibrahima wa ‘ala aali Ibrahima innaka Hameedum-Majeed.

# Step 16: Dua E Masura

Recite:

Allahumma inni zalumtu nafsi zulman kathiran, Wala yaghfiru dh-dhunuba illa anta, fa ghfir li maghfiratan min `indika, wa r-hamni, innaka anta l-ghafuru r-rahim.

# Step 17: End the Prayer (Salam)

End with Tasleem by turning your head to the right and left, saying “Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah.”

Then turn to the left and repeat it.

You have completed two rak‘ahs of Taraweeh.

Step 17: Make Dua

You can make any dua. A beautiful short one is:

Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanah wa fil-akhirati hasanah wa qina ‘adhaban nar.

(O Allah, give us good in this world and good in the hereafter and protect us from the fire.)

Can Taraweeh Be Performed at Home?

Yes, Taraweeh can be performed at home, individually or in congregation with family members. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

“Perform some of your prayers in your houses, and do not make them graves.”

This Hadith encourages Muslims to enliven their homes with voluntary prayers, including Taraweeh.

How Many Rakat in Taraweeh

Taraweeh is a special prayer performed during the nights of Ramadan. The number of rak’ahs (units) for Taraweeh has been a topic of discussion among scholars, with differing opinions based on interpretations of Islamic texts and practices. Below is an analysis with references from the Quran and Hadith:

1. The Practice of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ):

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) prayed Taraweeh in congregation during Ramadan, but there is no explicit mention in the Hadith of a fixed number of rak’ahs. The following Hadith provides insight:

• Hadith (Sahih Bukhari, Book 32, Hadith 227):
  

  “The Prophet (ﷺ) prayed in the mosque one night, and people followed him. He prayed again the next night, and more people gathered. On the third or fourth night, they gathered again, but the Prophet (ﷺ) did not come out to them. In the morning, he said: ‘I saw what you did, and nothing prevented me from coming out to you except that I feared it might be made obligatory upon you.’“

This Hadith indicates that the Prophet (ﷺ) prayed Taraweeh in congregation but did not fix a specific number of rak’ahs, likely to avoid making it obligatory.

2. The Practice of the Companions:

After the Prophet’s (ﷺ) time, the practice of Taraweeh evolved. During the caliphate of Umar ibn Al-Khattab (رضي الله عنه), he unified the Muslims to pray Taraweeh in congregation, and the practice of 20 rak’ahs became common.

• Hadith (Muwatta Malik, Book 6, Hadith 248):
  

  “Umar (رضي الله عنه) gathered the people to pray behind Ubayy ibn Ka’b (رضي الله عنه) and Tamim Ad-Dari (رضي الله عنه), and they prayed 20 rak’ahs.”

This practice of 20 rak’ahs was widely accepted and continued by the majority of the companions and subsequent generations.

3. Differing Opinions Among Scholars:

Scholars have differing opinions on the number of rak’ahs for Taraweeh, based on their interpretations of the Hadith and the practices of the companions:

• 20 Rak’ahs: This is the view of the Hanafi, Shafi’i, and Hanbali schools of thought, based on the practice of Umar (رضي الله عنه) and the consensus of the companions.
• 8 Rak’ahs: This is the view of the Maliki school and some scholars, based on the Hadith of Aisha (رضي الله عنها) where she mentioned that the Prophet (ﷺ) did not pray more than 11 rak’ahs (including Witr) during Ramadan or otherwise (Sahih Bukhari, Book 32, Hadith 230).

4. Quranic Reference:

While the Quran does not specify the number of rak’ahs for Taraweeh, it emphasizes the importance of night prayers and worship during Ramadan:

• Quran (Surah Al-Muzzammil, 73:2-4):
  

  “Stand (in prayer) at night, except for a little – Half of it or a little less than that Or a little more. And recite the Quran with measured recitation.”

This verse highlights the virtue of night prayers, which includes Taraweeh.

Conclusion

Taraweeh is a cherished practice during Ramadan, offering Muslims a means to draw closer to Allah through additional nightly prayers. Whether performed in the mosque or at home, in eight or twenty rak’ahs, the emphasis is on sincerity, devotion, and seeking Allah’s pleasure. By adhering to the guidance from the Quran and Hadith, believers can ensure their Taraweeh prayers are both rewarding and spiritually enriching.

Read more: Laylatul Qadr 2025 | Embrace the Night of Power and Infinite Blessings