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Tarawih Salah (صلاة التراويح ) (Late Night Nafl Prayer offered during Ramadan)
This is a special optional prayer that is offered in the month of Ramadan (Month of Fasting). It is a Sunnah (Tradition of Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم ) applicable equally to men and women.
Tarawih Salah (Late Night Nafl Prayer during Ramadan) is another name of Tahajjud Salah (Late Night Nafl Prayer) or Qiyamul Layl, offered during the month of Ramadan.
Eight Rak'ah (Units) of Tarawih Salah (Late Night Nafl Prayer during Ramadan) are proven from the authentic Sunnah (Tradition of Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم ).
There is no upper limit for Nafl Salah (Extra Obligatory Prayer), as long as it is done in moderation.
Twenty Rak’at (Units) of Tarawih Salah (Late Night Nafl Prayer during Ramadan) are offered at many places.
Tarawih Salah (Late Night Nafl Prayer during Ramadan) begin after seeing the new moon of Ramadan(9th month of the Islamic calendar) and end on the last night of Ramadan after seeing the new moon of Shawwal (10th month of the Islamic calendar).
Tarawih Salah (Late Night Nafl Prayer during Ramadan) is offered after 'Isha" Salah (Night Prayers).
The tradition ofTarawih Salah (Late Night Nafl Prayer during Ramadan) comes from an instance when the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم offered Tahajjud Salah (Late Night Nafl Prayer) or Qiyamul Layl around the middle of night during that Ramadan (Month of Fasting).
At that time he offered only eight Rak'ah (Units).
Narrated 'Urwa :That he was informed by 'A”ishah رضي الله عنها : "Allah's Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم went out in the middle of the night and prayed in the mosque and some men prayed behind him.
In the morning, the people spoke about it and then a large number of them gathered and prayed behind him (on the second night).
In the next morning the people again talked about it and on the third night the mosque was full with a large number of people. Allah's Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم came out and the people prayed behind him.
On the fourth night the Mosque was overwhelmed with people and could not accommodate them, but the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم came out (only) for the morning prayer. When the morning prayer was finished he recited Tashahhud and (addressing the people) said, "Amma ba'du, your presence was not hidden from me but I was afraid lest the night prayer (Qiyam) should be enjoined on you and you might not be able to carry it on." So, Allah's Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم died and the situation remained like that (i.e. people prayed individually). "
Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 32, 229 |
The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم led theTarawih Salah (Late Night Nafl Prayer during Ramadan) only thrice, and he offered eight Rak'at (Units) of Tahajjud Salah followed by three Rak'ah (Units) of Witr Salah (Prayer with odd number of Rak'ah). Muslim, Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Nasa”i, Ibn Majah
He used to offer Tahajjud Salah early in the night, middle of the night or late at night, a tradition that he continued during the month of Ramadan (9th month of the Islamic calendar).
Tarawih Salah (Late Night Nafl Prayer during Ramadan) is offered in sets of two Rak'at (Units).
InTarawih Salah (Late Night Nafl Prayer during Ramadan) Surah (Chapter) Al-Fatihah (The Opening) is recited in each Rak'ah (Unit) after which theQur-an is recited in continuation of the previous Rak'ah (Unit). Small Suwar (Chapters) of theQur-an can also be recited.
Tarawih Salah (Late Night Nafl Prayer during Ramadan) can be offered in a Jama'ah (Group) or alone also.
Completing the recitation of theQur-an in less than three days is an undesirable act.
Completing the recitation of the Qur-an in one night is against the Sunnah (Tradition of Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم ).
Recitation of theQur-an can be done by directly reading from it, in Tarawih or any other Nafl Salah (Extra Obligatory Prayers). Bukhari
Ladies can also join in the Tarawih congregation behind men or in a separate part of the Masjid (Mosque). |
