Tarawih

Once Rasulullah (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) addressed his followers on the last day of Sha’ban, on the eve of Ramadhan, and said:

 “There is a night in this month which is greater in excellence than a thousand months; Allah has enjoined an extra prayer to be offered in the nights of this month. If a person performs a voluntary good act out of his own free choice during this month, they will be entitled to receive the reward of an imperative act performed in the other months”.

In another tradition, he has regarded the Tarawih Prayer as a means of the forgiveness of sins. He (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) has said:

“The one who observes the Tarawih Prayer at night during Ramadhan with complete faith and devotion only for the sake of the recompense of the Akhirah (Hereafter), will have all his previous sins forgiven by Allah”.

- Tarawih salaah is SUNNAT MU-AKKADAH for both men and women.

- To perform Tarawih with jama'ah is sunnat-kifayah for men.

- If a person performs Tarawih at home whilst Tarawih is being performed at the Masjid, he will not be sinful. However, if all the neighbours perform their Tarawih alone at home, then all will be sinful because of neglecting the jama'ah.

- The time for Tarawih is from after Isha salaah to a little before Subhus-Sadiq. It can be performed either before or after the Witr salaah.

- If one has missed a few rak'ah of Tarawih and the Imam has commenced the Witr, then this Muqtadi may join for the Witr and complete the remainder of his Tarawih thereafter.

- 20 raka'at with 10 Salaam are masnun, one should have a niyyah for 2 raka'at of Tarawih each time. After every 4 raka'at it is Mustahab to sit a while and take a rest.

- One may remain silent or recite the Qur'an or tasbih in a low voice or say Nafl salaah separately during the period of rest after every 4 raka'at.

- It is makruh to perform Tarawih sitting if one has the strength of qiyam (standing).

- While performing Tarawih some people do not join the Jama'ah from the beginning but join the Imam when he prepares to go into Ruku'. This is makruh. They should join at the beginning.

- If one does not get the Jamaa'ah for Fardh of Eisha, he should perform his Fardh alone and then join the Jamaa'ah for Tarawih.

What Should Be Recited During The Pause

The worshiper has the option to be quiet during the pause after each 4 raka’at, or recite some Tasbih, or offer a voluntary prayer. The people of Makkah, as mentioned above, used to perform a tawaf of the Ka’bah, and the people of Madinah offered 4 raka’at of Nafl. Some jurists, however, have recommended that the following Tasbih be recited in the pause although it does not hold the rank of Sunnah:

Subhana Dhil Mulki Wal Malakut.

Subhana Dhil `Izzati Wal `Azmati Wal Haybati

Wal Qudrati Wal Kibriya’i Wal Jabarut.

Subhanal Malikil Hayyil Ladhi

La Yanamu Wa La Yamut.

Subbuhun Quddusun Rabbuna Wa

Rabbul-Mala’ikati Warruh.

Allahumma Ajirna Minan Nar.

Ya Mujiru Ya Mujiru Ya Mujir.

“Glorified is the Owner of the Kingdom of the earth and the heavens. Glorified is the Possessor of Honour and Magnificence and Awe. Glorified is the Possessor of Honour and Magnificence and Awe, and Power and Greatness and Omnipotence. Glorified is the Sovereign, the Living, Who neither sleeps nor dies. He is the most praised and the most Holy, our Lord, the Lord of the Angels and the Spirit (Gabriel). O Allah protect us from the fire of hell; O Protector, O Protector, O Protector.”