Taraweeh is a special prayer that is performed during the month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. The name “Taraweeh” comes from the Arabic word “tarweeh,” which means to rest or to take a break, as the prayers are typically performed after the evening (Isha) prayer and can last for several hours.
Taraweeh prayers are typically performed in mosques, and are led by an imam (prayer leader). During the prayers, the imam recites passages from the Quran, and the congregation follows along and performs the necessary movements and prostrations.
Taraweeh prayers are optional and are not required for Muslims to perform. However, they are considered to be a highly recommended and virtuous act, and many Muslims choose to participate in them during the month of Ramadan.
- There is a hadith (tradition) from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that encourages the performance of Taraweeh prayers during Ramadan, stating: Hadith: “من قام رمضان إيمانا واحتسابا، غفر له ما تقدم من ذنبه” (Sahih Bukhari)
- Translation: “Whoever prays at night during Ramadan with faith and seeking its reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven.”
Another hadith from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) states:
- Hadith: “لا تدعوا التراويح، فإني أخاف أن يعاقب نومكم” (Sahih Bukhari)
- Translation: “Do not leave Taraweeh prayers, for I fear that you may be reduced to mere sleep.”
These hadiths demonstrate the importance and virtue of performing Taraweeh prayers during Ramadan, and encourage Muslims to participate in them as a way of seeking forgiveness and drawing closer to Allah.
In addition to the hadiths, there are also several verses in the Quran that mention the importance of performing prayers at night, including the following:
- Quran: “اتَّخِذُوا الصَّلاةَ وَمِن ثَمَّ الصِّيَامَ إِنَّ ذَلِكَ لَشَفاعَةٌ لَكُمْ” (Quran 2:183)
- Translation: “Establish regular prayers at the two ends of the day and at the approaches of the night: For those things, that are good remove those that are evil: Be that the word of remembrance to those who remember (their Lord).”
- Quran: “أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ مَنْ آمَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا وَتَوَاصَى بِالأَمْرِ الْمُسْتَقِيمِ” (Quran 13:22)
- Translation: “They are those who are patient, seeking their Lord’s countenance, performing regular prayers, and spending out of what We have provided for them secretly and openly, and countering evil with good. It is they who will have the ultimate attainment.”
These verses from the Quran emphasize the importance of performing regular prayers, including at the two ends of the day (morning and evening) and at the approaches of the night. The mention of “the approaches of the night” is often interpreted as a reference to the Taraweeh prayers that are performed during Ramadan, as they take place after the evening (Isha) prayer and before the night.
Overall, Taraweeh prayers are an important and recommended part of the observance of Ramadan for many Muslims. They provide an opportunity to seek forgiveness and draw closer to Allah through the recitation of the Quran and the performance of special prayers. The hadiths and verses from the Quran mentioned above provide further evidence of the importance and virtue of Taraweeh prayers during the month of Ramadan.