What is Taraweeh?

Find out why praying Tarweeh in Ramadan is highly recommended

Taraweeh means ‘rest’ and ‘relaxation’. This prayer, which is prayed after Isha Salah in Ramadan, is called this because people usually take a break between every four rakats as the prayers are lengthy.

Rewards of Taraweeh

Praying Tarweeh in Ramadan is highly recommended. It is Sunnah Mu’akkadah, which means it is a strong sunnah (the confirmed practice of Prophet Muhammad PBUH) and highly rewarded.

`Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) was asked about the Prophet’s night prayer; she said: “he did not pray more than 11 rak`at [a night] in Ramadan or any other month. he used to pray four rak`at -don’t ask me about their beauty and length–and then he would pray four more rak`at-don’t ask me about their beauty and length–and then he would pray three rak`at (of witr).” (Al-Bukhari)

In a hadith, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “Whoever prays during the nights in Ramadan out of sincere faith and seeking its reward from Allah will have all of his previous sins forgiven.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

As well as this, all good deeds in Ramadan are multiplied due to the month being blessed. This should mean, as Muslims, that we strive to engage in as much worship as we can.

Dua for Taraweeh

Taraweeh should be prayed in two rakats each. After every four rakats, one should sit and recite the following dua:

سُبْحَانَ ذِی الْمُلْکِ وَالْمَلَکُوْتِ سُبْحَانَ ذِی الْعِزَّةِ وَالْعَظَمَةِ وَالْهَيْبَةِ وَالْقُدْرَةِ وَالْکِبْرِيَآئِ وَالْجَبَرُوْتِ سُبْحَانَ الْمَلِکِ الْحَيِ الَّذِی لَا يَنَامُ وَلَا يَمُوْتُ سُبُّوحٌ قُدُّوْسٌ رَبُّنَا وَرَبُّ الْمَلَائِکَةِ وَالرُّوْحِ ط اَللّٰهُمَّ اَجِرْنَا مِنَ النَّارِ يَا مُجِيْرُ يَا مُجِيْرُ يَا مُجِيْر

 

Transliteration:

Subhana zil mulki wal malakooti subhana zil izzati wal azamati wal haibati wal qudrati wal kibriyaai wal jabaroot. Subhanal malikil hayyil lazi laa yanamu wala yamootu subboohun qud’doosur-rab’buna wa rab’bul malaaikati war’rooh. Allahumma ajirna minan naar, ya mujeeru ya mujeeru ya mujeer

 

English Translation:

Exalted is the Possessor of the hidden and the manifest dominion. Exalted is the Possessor of Might, Greatness, Reverence, Power, Pride and Majesty. Exalted is the Master, the Living, the one who neither sleeps nor dies. All-perfect, All-holy, Our Lord, and the Lord of the angels and the souls. O Allah, grant us refuge from the Hellfire. O Granter of refuge, O Granter of refuge, O Granter of refuge.

Learn more about Ramadan with Orphans in Need here.