Some of my fondest Ramadan memories were made during tarawih prayers at the masjid. I would always rush through my iftar and dessert (who could forget that?!) and run to my room to get ready to go to the masjid. Once there, I’d see my friends and the community at large, get some treats from ice cream trucks or bake sales in the parking lot, and sometimes even get to stay all night until fajr, praying, worshiping, reading Quran and being with my friends 

Once I had my kids, it became harder for me to attend tarawih (sometimes spelled taraweeh) at the masjid, which unfortunately took away some of the luster of Ramadan for me. For many people – like moms of young children, converts who may have complicated relationships with their mosques, those with disabilities or caregivers/family of disabled children and/or elderly loved ones, those who take on night shifts, etc. – not attending tarawih at the masjid is already the norm.

But this Ramadan in quarantine is unprecedented in our lifetimes. Attending tarawih isn’t an option for anyone. Our masajid are closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. That means no iftars or community gatherings, and no Salatul Jumu’ah (Friday prayers), tarawih prayers or itikafs will happen in congregation.

What happens when we can't pray tarawih at the masjid? Can we still pray it at home? Do we lose some of the value of the prayer? How did the Prophet Muhammad (saw) pray tarawih? How can I pray tarawih at home? We’ve done the research to help you figure this out!

Tarawih is a sunnah mu'2akkadah – meaning a verified sunnah that the Prophet used to do consistently. He technically used to pray qiyam ul layl (optional nightly prayers) year-round, out of devotion to Allah (S). It must be clarified that tarawih is essentially considered qiyam, but it was given the name tarawih – which literally means “to rest and relax” – in reference to how the sahabah (companions of the Prophet) and righteous used to literally rest every four raka'as because of how lengthy the prayer was.

Here's what many people may not know: The Prophet Muhammad (saw) actually used to perform most of his tarawih prayers at home. Tarawih was never a nightly congregational prayer during his lifetime. In fact, in the last year (and last Ramadan) of his life, he's said to have prayed tarawih at the masjid for three nights in a row (and each night, more and more people joined in congregation), and on the fourth night, a large amount of Muslims awaited his arrival to start the prayer, but he never came. At fajr, he said: “Nothing prevented me from coming out to you except the fact that I feared that it would be made obligatory for you.” (Muslim)

Following the death of the Prophet, tarawih continued to be prayed individually or in small groups. It was not until later in the khilafah (leadership) of Umar (ra) that tarawih prayers began to be prayed in congregation at the masjid every night in an effort to foster more community and unity for the ummah.

So you see, while we will be deprived from this beautiful tradition of praying tarawih at our masajid, this year we are going back to the basics: Worshiping Allah alone or with our families in the night. There is a silver lining in everything, Subhanallah. This is our chance to worship Allah (S) in the night as He loves, and truly try to foster a deep connection with Him. Maybe this is the Ramadan to truly, truly reset and recharge spiritually, without all the social distractions that come with Ramadan. What a blessing, Subhanallah! What a golden opportunity!

When he was asked about night prayer, the Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: “Prayers at night are offered in two followed by two. Then, if you fear dawn will come, pray witr with one.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

As we're accustomed to doing in our masjid, it’s highly encouraged to pray tarawih in congregation with your family members, as the reward for praying in jama’ah (group) is multiplied. Plus, it’s great bonding for your family! If you can’t, that’s totally OK too! Don’t know how to pray tarawih? Here’s the simple step-by-step breakdown (as verified by my local Imam in Clifton, New Jersey):

1. Pray Isha (four raka’as)

2. Pray two raka'as sunnah of Isha

3. Set your intention to start praying tarawih/qiyam. Pray the first four rak'as of tarawih (2 raka'as at a time).

4. Take a short break.

5. Pray the next four raka'as (again, two raka'as at a time).

6. Here, you can either end your tarawih and move on to witr, or continue praying.

7. Pray witr (either one or three raka'as).

According to the scholars, the Prophet (S) is known to have prayed tarawih in eight, 12 and even 20 raka’as plus the three witr raka’as – so do what works for you! While there are differences of opinion on how many raka’as the Prophet (S) prayed, all scholars agree on this: the quality of your tarawih is more important than the quantity.

What Quran and Du'a Do I Read in Tarawih?

There are no specific surahs in Quran that you have to read while performing tarawih prayers. Typically though, imams in the masjid try to complete one juz (chapter) a night, so by the end of Ramadan, they complete the entire Quran during their tarawih prayers.

In terms of du'a, that is entirely up to you. Worshiping Allah (S) in the night, and especially in the last third of the night (right before fajr) is one of the *best* times to make du'a – and so Allah (S) wants you to seek Him and ask for anything and everything. Take advantage, and even try to make a du'a list so you don’t forget everything you want to ask for ;)

Please note: NEVER feel that you are asking too much of Allah (S). HE is bigger than all your problems and desires, and refraining from asking Him of something is like telling Him it’s too much for Him.

At the end of the day, Allah (S) loves to see His servants worship Him, and worshiping Allah (S) at night, away from all the distractions of the daytime, is one of the best times to increase in spirituality and in connection with Him. We all have different circumstances, and Allah (S) understands this. There is a reason tarawih was not made fard, but a highly recommended sunnah.

It is known that night prayer/worship has immense value and reward. The Prophet Muhammad (saw) 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)

The Prophet also said:

Additionally, Allah (S) talks about the night prayer (qiyam) many times in the Quran.

In Surat al-Muzzamil, Allah (S) says:

Whatever your circumstance, I pray that Allah (S) blesses you with the opportunity to stand some of your nights in worship this Ramadan and beyond. May Allah (S) bless us and our families, keep us safe from harm, increase us in spirituality, blessings and wisdom, and may He allow us to reach this Ramadan and be of those who are expiated of all sins, Insha'Allah. Ameen!

Ramadan Mubarak! May this be your best Ramadan yet!