Taraweeh Prayer Explained
What Taraweeh is, why some mosques pray 8 rakats and others 20, whether it's obligatory, and how to pray it at the mosque or at home.
The Quick Answer
Taraweeh is a special voluntary night prayer performed during Ramadan, typically after the Isha prayer, often in congregation at the mosque. It is a Sunnah Mu'akkadah — a strongly emphasized recommended practice, not an obligatory prayer. The number of rakats prayed varies by community: 20 rakats (plus Witr) is the more widespread practice across many mosques worldwide, while praying 8 rakats (plus Witr) is also a well-documented and valid tradition followed by others. Both reflect genuine, long-standing scholarly positions.
this guide covers:
- What Taraweeh is and where the name comes from
- Whether it's obligatory or recommended
- The 8 vs. 20 rakat traditions, explained neutrally
- How Taraweeh is typically prayed and structured
- Praying at home vs. at the mosque
1. What Is Taraweeh?
The word "Taraweeh" comes from the Arabic root meaning "to rest" or "to take a break" — a reference to the practice of pausing briefly for rest between sets of prayer units (commonly every four rakats), given how long the night prayer traditionally lasts. Taraweeh is prayed specifically during the nights of Ramadan, generally after the Isha prayer and its associated Sunnah, and before or alongside Witr prayer.
Congregational Taraweeh at the mosque became a firmly established communal practice during the time of the second Caliph, Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA), who organized worshippers — who had previously been praying individually or in small scattered groups — behind a single imam. This is why Taraweeh is strongly associated with a shared, communal atmosphere in many Muslim communities today.
2. Is Taraweeh Obligatory?
No — Taraweeh is classified as Sunnah Mu'akkadah, meaning a strongly emphasized and recommended practice, not a Fard (obligatory) prayer like the five daily prayers. It carries substantial spiritual reward, and the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is reported to have said that whoever stands in prayer during Ramadan out of faith and hope for reward will have their previous sins forgiven — but choosing not to pray it does not carry the same weight as neglecting an obligatory prayer.
3. The 8 vs. 20 Rakat Question
This is one of the most commonly asked questions about Taraweeh, and it's worth being direct about it: both practices are valid and well-documented, reflecting a genuine difference in how narrations have been weighed by different scholars and communities — not a case of one group being "correct" and another "incorrect."
The case for 20 rakats
The majority of mosques worldwide, across the Hanafi, Shafi'i, Maliki, and Hanbali schools, pray 20 rakats of Taraweeh (followed by 3 rakats of Witr). This number is most closely associated with the practice organized under Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA), and subsequent generations of scholars across the major schools of thought have generally upheld it as the standard congregational practice.
The case for 8 rakats
Others point to narrations, including one from Aisha (RA), describing the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ's own night prayer during Ramadan as consisting of 8 rakats followed by Witr, generally prayed at a slower, more reflective pace with longer recitation. Communities and individuals who follow this view are not doing anything "less" — they are following a different, equally documented description of the Prophet's practice.
How to think about the difference
The consistent teaching across mainstream scholarship is that this is a matter of permissible scholarly difference (ikhtilaf), not a right-versus-wrong dispute. What matters more than the specific number is praying with presence, focus, and consistency. If you're new to a community, it's worth simply asking your local mosque which practice they follow so you know what to expect.
4. How Taraweeh Is Typically Prayed
Structurally, Taraweeh is prayed in units of two rakats at a time, similar to other voluntary prayers, with a brief pause (the "resting" the name refers to) typically every four rakats. In congregation, the imam leads the recitation aloud, often reciting a significant portion of the Quran across consecutive nights, with many mosques completing a full recitation of the Quran (a Khatm) by the end of the month.
If you're new to Taraweeh, don't feel pressure to complete the entire set on your first night, especially if you're building up stamina or aren't yet used to standing in prayer for extended periods. Praying a shorter portion consistently is generally considered better than attempting the full length once and then skipping several nights afterward.
5. Praying at Home vs. at the Mosque
Praying Taraweeh in congregation at the mosque is the more emphasized and widely practiced form, and carries a strong sense of communal worship that many people find spiritually meaningful during Ramadan. That said, praying it individually at home is entirely valid, and can be the more practical or even preferable choice depending on personal circumstances — family responsibilities, mobility, distance from a mosque, or simply preferring a quieter, more reflective pace.
- At the mosque: a shared communal experience, typically following the imam's chosen number of rakats and recitation pace.
- At home: full flexibility over pace, length, and recitation — a good option for families with young children, those with mobility considerations, or anyone who finds a quieter setting easier to focus in.
- Either way: the prayer remains fully valid; what matters most is sincerity and consistency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Taraweeh 8 or 20 rakats?
Both are well-documented, valid practices followed by different communities. Many mosques following the Hanafi, Shafi'i, Maliki, and Hanbali traditions pray 20 rakats (plus Witr), a number associated with practice during the time of the second Caliph, Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA). Others, citing narrations describing the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ's own night prayer, pray 8 rakats (plus Witr). Neither is 'more correct' than the other — they reflect a genuine, long-standing difference in how scholars have weighed the available narrations.
Is Taraweeh obligatory?
No. Taraweeh is a Sunnah Mu'akkadah (strongly emphasized recommended practice), not an obligatory (Fard) prayer. It carries substantial reward and is widely encouraged, especially in congregation, but missing it does not carry the same weight as missing an obligatory prayer.
Can women pray Taraweeh at home?
Yes. Women can pray Taraweeh either at the mosque or at home; both are valid, and many scholars note that praying voluntary prayers at home carries its own recommended reward. The choice often comes down to personal circumstance, family responsibilities, and access to a nearby congregation.
Can I pray Taraweeh alone if I can't make it to the mosque?
Yes. While praying Taraweeh in congregation is the more emphasized and rewarded practice, praying it individually — alone, at your own pace, at home — is entirely valid if attending a congregation isn't possible.
Do I have to complete the whole Quran during Taraweeh?
No, this isn't a requirement of the prayer itself. It has become a widespread custom in many mosques for the imam to recite the entire Quran across the month's Taraweeh prayers (a Khatm), but this is a beautiful tradition rather than a condition for Taraweeh being valid.
DeenAtlas Research Disclaimer
This guide presents the 8 and 20 rakat traditions neutrally as documented mainstream practices. It is not a ruling in favor of either position. For guidance on which practice to follow, consult your local mosque or a qualified scholar from your tradition.