 | ||
Tarawih (Arabic: تراويح) refers to extra prayers performed by Sunni Muslims at night in the Islamic month of Ramadan.
Contents
Overview
Tarawih prayers are prayed in pairs of two and can be prayed in at least 11/13/21/23 raka‘āt according to the Hanafi and Shafi'i schools of Sunni Islam. A break is taken after every 4(2+2) raka‘āt. This prayer is performed only during Ramadan of the Islamic calendar after salat of Isha. Muslims believe it is customary to attempt a khatm "complete recitation" of the Quran as one of the religious observances of Ramadan by reciting at least one juz' per night in tarawih. Tarawih prayers are considered optional, not obligatory.
Sunni views
In all the Sunni hadith scriptures, the prayer Tarawih has been mentioned as Qiyamul Layl min Ramadan (Standing of night in Ramadan) and Qiyam-ar-Ramadan (Standing of Ramadan). A majority of Sunni Muslims regard the Tarawih prayers as Sunnat Mu'akkadah; however, there is no Hadith indicating that prophet Muhammad ever offered or participated any prayer called Tarawih. He consistently offered every night 11 rakaat tahajjud (a voluntary late night prayer offered preferably in the third part of the night) which consisted of eight Nafal (a voluntary prayer) and 3 vitr every single day of the year. He did not offer any additional prayer in Ramadan. Sunni Muslims believe tarawih is a nafil salat and may be performed at home if one is unable to attend a mosque. Contrary to common belief that, Prophet Muhammad initially prayed the tarawih in congregation during Ramadan, there is in fact not a single hadith verifying this belief. He prayed in congregation for three consecutive nights. During the time when Umar was the caliph, he reinstated the praying of Tarawih in congregation.
Shia views
The Shia view differs among the three main schools of thought, Ismaili, Twelvers and Zaydis. Alevi Muslims in Turkey, Twelvers and Ismailies have no Tarawih prayer and see it as bid‘ah (بدعة) introduced after the death of Prophet Muhammed.
Twelvers believe in the Tahajjud prayer or Salatul layl (night prayer) which Muhammad recommended. It is recommended throughout the year, especially during nights of Ramadan.
Salat al-Layl or Tahajjud prayer is made up of eleven rak’ats.
In the last rak’at, Qunut is recited before or after ruku' and the Salat is completed as usual with Tashahhud and Salaam.
Shia Ismaili Muslims believe Tahajjud prayer or Bayt al-Khayal prayer is recommended throughout the year particularly on Friday (Jumma) or Chand Rat (First night of every Islamic month).