Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) stated: “Whoever performs the voluntary night prayer during Ramadan with faith and in anticipation of reward will have their past sins forgiven.”
[Sunan an-Nasa’i 5027]
Taraweeh is a special nightly prayer observed in Ramadan. It has a special status in Islam and is one of the sunnahs highlighted the most by the Prophet PBUH. It has numerous virtues and is a perfect way to strengthen the relationship with Allah SWT. Keeping this in mind, this blog will delve deeper into whether taraweeh is an obligatory prayer, its benefits, and what the Prophet PBUH has said about it.
Prophet PBUH & Taraweeh
Numerous hadiths highlight the importance of taraweeh and prove that the prayer was established during the time of the Prophet PBUH.
‘A’isha narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) led prayer in the mosque one night, and people joined him. On the following night, more people gathered to pray with him. However, by the third or fourth night, when even larger crowds assembled, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) chose not to come out to lead the Taraweeh prayer. In the morning, he explained: “I observed what you were doing, but I refrained from joining you, as I feared this prayer might become mandatory for you.”
[Sahih Muslim 761a]
Not only did the Prophet PBUH perform Taraweeh himself, but he also encouraged the people to do so.
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) encouraged people to pray optional Tarawih prayers at night during Ramadan. However, he did not mandate it as an obligation. He stated, “Whoever performs the optional Tarawih prayers at night in Ramadan, with faith and the hope of earning Allah’s reward, will have their previous sins forgiven.”
[Riyad as-Salihin 1188]
These hadiths are clear evidence that taraweeh has been established since the time of the Prophet PBUH. Therefore, whoever performs this prayer during Ramadan is following the sunnah of our Prophet PBUH.
Is Taraweeh Mandatory?
Taraweeh is not obligatory, but it is a sunnah muakkada (strong sunnah), and the one who leaves it will be doing themselves a great disservice. And since the Prophet Muhammad PBUH encouraged the people to offer taraweeh, one should not neglect it. One should pray at home if one can’t pray in the mosque with the imam. If one cannot pray all the rakats, they should pray as much as he can. Numerous hadiths describe the blessings one gets when he prays taraweeh. Therefore, one must try to offer their prayer and grow closer to Allah.
Is It A Sin To Leave Taraweeh?
It is established that taraweeh is not considered obligatory, but whether the one who leaves it is committing a sin is stated differently in the fiqh. Below is the opinion of the two most popular schools of thought on leaving the prayer of Taraweeh.
Fiqh Hanafi
According to the school of Hanafi, taraweeh is a sunnah muakkada (strong sunnah), and the one who leaves it without any valid excuse is committing a sin.
Fiqh Shafi
The Shafi school states that it is not punishable to leave taraweeh, whether one has a valid excuse or not. But it is highly encouraged to pray it so one can reap the benefits.
In his work Umdat As-Salik, Ibn Naqib Al-Misri states, “It is mandub (recommended) to perform taraweeh, consisting of 20 raka’at each night during Ramadan, in congregation, with salams made after every two raka’at” (page 158).
Thus, the established view within the Shafi’i school is that Salat At-Taraweeh is recommended rather than obligatory, contrary to some common misconceptions.
Evidence Of Non-Obligation Of Taraweeh
Zaid bin Thabit narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) set up a small room made of date palm leaf mats in the mosque. He offered prayer for a few nights, and when the people saw this, they too followed him in this prayer [prayer of Taraweeh]. However, when the fourth night came and the Prophet PBUH wasn’t praying, the people thought that he may have fallen asleep. Some of them began to hum to encourage him to come out. The Prophet (PBUH) then addressed them, saying, “You kept doing what I observed, and I became concerned that this (Tarawih prayer) might be made obligatory for you. If it became obligatory, you would struggle to maintain it, So, my people, pray at your homes, for the best prayer of a person is the one they perform at home, except for the mandatory congregational prayers.”
This hadith clearly states that taraweeh is an obligatory prayer. The main reason why the Prophet PBUH stopped praying it was because he was afraid that it might become obligatory and the people won’t be able to maintain it.
Is Taraweeh Prayer Bidah?
Certain misconceptions circulate the topic of taraweeh, one being that taraweeh is a bidah (innovation) in the deen. But how can something be an innovation when it is proven by numerous hadiths and the Prophet PBUH himself encouraged the Muslims to pray taraweeh? Furthermore, all the Muslim scholars agree that taraweeh is a prayer established from the time of the Prophet PBUH.
Benefits Of Taraweeh
Dual Acts of Worship
If someone draws near to God during Ramadan with some good act, he will be like one who fulfills an obligatory duty in another month.
[Mishkat al-Masabih 1965]
During Ramadan, Muslims engage in two significant forms of worship: fasting during the day and performing night prayers. This combination allows them to maximize their rewards in this sacred month.
Reward of Congregational Prayer
Abdullah bin Umar reported that Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) stated, “Praying in a group is twenty-seven times more rewarding than praying alone.”
[Sahih al-Bukhari 645]
When one attends taraweeh in the mosque and prays it in congregation, he receives the reward that is twenty-seven times more than the reward of praying alone. This practice encourages Muslims to attend the mosque regularly during Ramadan and on normal days, fostering a sense of unity among the Muslim community.
Masjid Etiquette
“Prophet Muhammad PBUH said, The best among you are those who possess the best manners and character.”
[Sahih al-Bukhari 6029]
Attending the mosque helps Muslims develop good manners and behaviors, such as speaking softly, respecting the Imam, maintaining cleanliness in their surroundings, avoiding personal disputes, and earning rewards simply by entering the mosque.
Night Worship in Ramadan
‘Indeed, whoever stands (praying) with the Imam until he finishes, then it is recorded for him that he prayed the whole night.’
[Jami` at-Tirmidhi 806]
Spending the nights of Ramadan engaged in worship, like taraweeh or other night prayers, is the perfect way to spend the night and ensure that one avails of the actual benefits of Ramadan.
Listening to the Quran
“And when the Qur’an is recited, give ear to it and pay heed, that ye may obtain mercy.”
[Surah Araf, Verse 204]
Listening to the Quran recited by a qualified scholar in the mosque enables Muslims to focus on the correct pronunciation of the Quranic letters and reflect on the meanings of Allah’s words, thereby deepening their faith and enhancing their connection with their Creator.
Improved Physical Health
This unique prayer promotes both physical and emotional well-being. During the prayer, the motions involved in Sajdah and Ruku contribute to improved health and boost the endurance of those who pray. Additionally, when one fasts throughout the day and then prays taraweeh at night, it ends their day on a spiritual note.