Introduction
Many people wonder: do you have to pray taraweeh everyday in Ramadan? This is especially true as the holy month approaches, a time when rewards and blessings are multiplied. It is well known that Muslims are keen to perform Taraweeh prayer after the Adhan of Isha daily during Ramadan, but there are many questions surrounding it that need a reliable answer. In this article, we will clarify the answers to these questions so you can refer back to them.
Is Taraweeh Obligatory or Sunnah?
Before answering the question: Do you have to pray taraweeh everyday in Ramadan?, we would like to state that Taraweeh is one of the Sunnahs of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH. The scholars have agreed that it is a confirmed Sunnah Muakkadah during the month of Ramadan and one of the great rituals of Islam.
The Prophet PBUH said:
“مَنْ قَامَ رَمَضَانَ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ”
“Whoever established prayers during the nights of Ramadan faithfully out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah’s rewards (not for show off), all his past sins will be forgiven.”
The Prophet PBUH used to pray it in congregation, and after that, he left the congregation for fear that it would become Fard upon the Ummah. Muslims used to pray Taraweeh individually in their homes afterwards, but our master Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, gathered them to pray behind one Imam.
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Can Taraweeh be Prayed with Any Number of Rak’ahs?
There is no specific fixed number of Rakats for Taraweeh prayer, but the Prophet Muhammad PBUH used to pray 11 Rakats. Lady Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, said when asked about that:
“مَا كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَزِيدُ فِي رَمَضَانَ وَلاَ فِي غَيْرِهِ عَلَى إِحْدَى عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَةً، يُصَلِّي أَرْبَعًا فَلاَ تَسْأَلْ عَنْ حُسْنِهِنَّ وَطُولِهِنَّ، ثُمَّ يُصَلِّي أَرْبَعًا فَلاَ تَسْأَلْ عَنْ حُسْنِهِنَّ وَطُولِهِنَّ، ثُمَّ يُصَلِّي ثَلاَثًا”
“Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) never exceeded eleven rakat in Ramadan or in other months; he used to offer four rakat– do not ask me about their beauty and length, then four rakat, do not ask me about their beauty and length, and then three rakat.”
However, this is not an indication of the absolute obligation of this number, as it is possible to increase it or to pray the same number following the Sunnah. It has been proven from some of the Salaf that they used to pray Taraweeh with more Rakats. In summary, the Prophet PBUH did not strictly specify the number of Rakats.
Can Taraweeh be Prayed at Home Without the Mosque?
Taraweeh prayer is valid whether it is performed in the mosque or at home, and by the permission of Allah, the doer receives the reward and blessing. However, it is preferable to pray it in congregation in the mosque as long as there is no valid excuse preventing it. The Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, used to pray in the mosque in separate groups, but Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, was keen to gather them all for Taraweeh prayer behind one Imam.
Should Taraweeh be Prayed Immediately After Isha?
Taraweeh prayer is performed after Isha prayer, but the jurists differ on its specific time. Some see that its time is between Isha and Witr, so it cannot be prayed before Isha nor after Witr. However, the general of jurists went to the view that the time for Taraweeh prayer extends from after the performance of Isha prayer until the break of Fajr, and it cannot be prayed before Isha because it follows Isha.
Can Taraweeh be Prayed Twice in One Night?
Just as many ask: Do you have to pray taraweeh everyday in Ramadan? they also ask: Is it permissible to pray it twice? The answer is yes, it is permissible. There is no harm for someone who prayed Taraweeh in a mosque and, after finishing, found another mosque praying, so he entered to pray with them. However, he does not perform the Witr prayer twice. If he prayed Witr with the first mosque, he should not pray it with the second.
There are some mosques that divide the night prayer into two parts: a part at the end of the night and a part after Isha to realise the virtue of the time of Suhur and to strive in worship, especially in the last ten days of the month of Ramadan.
What Should I Do If I Miss Isha Before Taraweeh?
A person who missed Isha prayer, and found that the Imam has already started Taraweeh prayer, can pray with him with the intention of Isha prayer. He prays two Rakats with the Imam, and when the Imam performs Tasleem, the person stands up to complete his prayer individually and then performs Tasleem. Then, he starts Taraweeh prayer with the Imam in the remaining Rakats. In the case that there was a group who missed Isha prayer and the Imam had not started Taraweeh prayer yet, they must pray the obligatory prayer first, then pray Taraweeh with the Imam afterwards.
Do you have to pray taraweeh everyday in Ramadan
It is recommended to pray it daily, even though it is not obligatory. This brings the individual great reward and blessing, especially since it is in the blessed month and the reward is multiplied. However, there is no sin upon the Muslim if he does not pray it every day as it is not obligatory.
Feeling Guilty for Missing Taraweeh Even Though It’s Sunnah
Taraweeh prayer is a recommended Sunnah and not obligatory. The one who does not pray it does not bear a sin, but he does not obtain the great reward and blessing in these blessed days as the Prophet PBUH confirmed this
How to Pray Taraweeh Step by Step at home
The steps for Taraweeh prayer at home, whether you are alone or with the household members, are as follows:
Taraweeh prayer for a person alone
- Turning towards the Qibla before starting Taraweeh prayer.
- The worshipper recites the opening supplication (Dua Al-Istiftah) to start the prayer silently.
- The worshipper starts by praying two Rakats and after that performs Tasleem, then starts another two Rakats so that he completes it up to 8, 10, or 20 Rakats.
- He performs Tasleem after every two Rakats of Taraweeh prayer, and it is completely separate from the Witr prayer.
Taraweeh prayer from home in congregation
If the husband wants to pray Taraweeh prayer at home in congregation with his family, it is done through the following:
- The husband stands in the front to face the Qibla.
- In the back, the wife and children stand.
- If the children are males, they can stand with their father in the front on the right and left rows.
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Is it permissible to pray Taraweeh less than 8 Rakats?
The people of knowledge differed regarding the number of Rakats for Taraweeh prayer. For some, the number was 20 Rakats, and the most likely opinion was 11 Rakats. If it decreased from that or increased, there is no harm upon the Muslim, and the matter in this is broad and flexible, as the scholars have said.
FAQ
Can Taraweeh be left for one day?
Yes, that is possible, but the Muslim misses a lot of great reward and blessing. Therefore, it is preferable to commit to it and not be negligent in it during this holy month in which the reward is multiplied.
Can I fast without performing Taraweeh?
Yes, it is possible to fast without performing Taraweeh prayer because it is not obligatory; rather, it is a recommended Sunnah. However, it is better to commit to it to take the reward, but it does not affect the fasting at all.
Is my fast valid if I don’t pray Taraweeh?
Not praying Taraweeh does not affect the fasting. With or without praying it, the fasting becomes valid. However, it is recommended to pray it to attain the reward from Allah in this blessed month.
Conclusion
Finally, after answering the question “Do you have to pray Taraweeh every day in Ramadan?”, it is important to note that Taraweeh prayer brings great reward and abundant blessings. It is a recommended Sunnah and not obligatory, yet it is better for a Muslim to perform it whenever possible, especially during this blessed month. Ramadan is a precious opportunity to draw closer to Allah and increase good deeds, so it should be seized wisely. If you would like to deepen your understanding of worship and perfect your practices this Ramadan, contact us at Rattil Online Academy to connect with qualified scholars and enrich your Islamic knowledge.
