Taraweeh is a special nightly prayer offered after the Isha prayer and before the witr prayer in Ramadan. Since this is a special prayer, it also has its own dua. This dua is recited after every four rakats of taraweeh. This dua is a perfect time to connect to our Lord and strengthen our relationship with our salah.
The Importance of Dua Between Taraweeh
Abu Hurayra conveyed that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, stated, “There is nothing more beloved to Allah than supplication.”
Connecting With Allah SWT
Reciting the dua between taraweeh prayers is a perfect way to connect with our Lord. Moreover, this dua serves as a spiritual pit stop where a Muslim can speak to Allah and supplicate to him.
Retaining Focus
When one takes a break after the 4 rakats of taraweeh, it is easy to get distracted by what other people are doing or talking about. But when one spends this time in supplication and the remembrance of Allah SWT, it helps to maintain the atmosphere of spirituality and connection to the Lord without the dunya coming in between.
Seeking Forgiveness
Ramadan is the month of forgiveness. When one recites a dua and supplicates to Allah, he actively seeks forgiveness and hopes to be cleansed from the sins of his past. This helps to cultivate an atmosphere of sincere spiritual connection.
The Origin
The Break Between Taraweeh
The jurist experts of Islam have mentioned that the short break during taraweeh is for the Muslims to take a brief rest. In this regard, the 10th-century Hanafi jurist Shaikh Ibraheem Al Halbi has stated that
“The rest during taraweeh is that a person sits between every four rakats. Similarly, he will sit between the last four rakats and taraweeh and the witr salah. The rest period (or break) doesn’t necessarily require you to physically sit down. Instead, it means waiting for the next four rakaats to start. During this break, one can either sit quietly or engage in phrases like “la ilaha illallah,” “subhanallah,” or even recite from the Quran.
“One can choose to perform optional rakaats (nafil) individually if one wishes. Taking a short break during this time is recommended based on the practices of the scholars and the Muslim communities of Makkah and Madina. In Makkah, people would perform Tawaaf after every four rakaats and then offer two additional rakaats for Tawaaf. In contrast, the people of Madina would typically pray four rakaats of optional Salah during their break. This indicates that during the periods of the Tabi’een and At’baa ut Tabi’een, it was common for them to have a pause between the four rakaats of Taraweeh Salah.”
Reference: [Ghunyah Al Mutamalli Fi Sharh Munyah Al Musalli Known as Al Sharh Al Kabeer Pg. 404, Suhail Academy Lahore Pakistan 1987].
The Dua Between The Break
It is evident that there is no proven dua or dhikr during the break one takes in taraweeh, and one can recite whatever he wants. Regarding the dua of ‘Subhaana Zil Mulki Wal Malakoo..’ the great Hanafi jurist, Mufti Mahmood RA stated,
“The tasbeeh recited after the four rakaats of Taraweeh is not clearly established in any reliable Islamic sources. While it has appeared in some texts, it likely originated as a way of refutation against the Rawafidh and has been subsequently passed down and transmitted.”
The words of Tasbeeh hold great significance as they glorify Allah, making it permissible to recite them during breaks in Taraweeh prayer. However, this should be done individually rather than collectively. It’s important not to regard the recitation of Tasbeeh as part of the practices associated with Taraweeh Salah or to think of them as duas of the Prophet ﷺ. Individuals can choose to recite it on their own or to remain silent and take a moment to rest. No one should be blamed or accused of wrongdoing for opting not to recite it.
Reference: (Fatawa Mahmoodiya Vol.7, Pg. 353 Darul Ifta Jamia Farooqiyah Karachi 2009).
It is also clear that a person is not limited to reciting this dua. They can also:
- Sit quietly.
- Engage in dhikr.
- Recite the Quran.
- Pray nafil (optional prayers)
Dua For Taraweeh
سُبْحَانَ ذِی الْمُلْکِ وَالْمَلَکُوْتِ ط سُبْحَانَ ذِی الْعِزَّةِ وَالْعَظَمَةِ وَالْهَيْبَةِ وَالْقُدْرَةِ وَالْکِبْرِيَآئِ وَالْجَبَرُوْتِ ط سُبْحَانَ الْمَلِکِ الْحَيِ الَّذِی لَا يَنَامُ وَلَا يَمُوْتُ سُبُّوحٌ قُدُّوْسٌ رَبُّنَا وَرَبُّ الْمَلَائِکَةِ وَالرُّوْحِ ط اَللّٰهُمَّ اَجِرْنَا مِنَ النَّارِ يَا مُجِيْرُ يَا مُجِيْرُ يَا مُجِيْر۔
Transliteration
Subhana dhil Mulki wal Malakuti, Subhana dhil izzati wal aDhmati wal haybati wal Qudrati, wal kibriyaa’i wal jabaroot Subhanal Malikil hayyil ladhi, la yunaamu wa layamut, Subbuhun Quddusun Rabbul malaa’ikati war-ruh. Allahumma ajirna minan-naar Ya Mujiru ya Mujiru ya Mujiru.
Translation
Exalted is the possessor of the hidden and the manifest dominion. Exalted is the Possessor of Might, Greatness, Reverence, Power, Pride, and Majesty. Exalted is the Master, the Living, who neither sleeps nor dies. All-perfect, All-holy, Our Lord, and the Lord of the angels and the souls. O Allah, grant us refuge from the hellfire. O Granter of Refuge, O Granter of Refuge, O Granter of Refuge.
Other Duas To Recite During Taraweeh
Dua 01 [Quran 3:173]
حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ
Transliteration
Hasbunallahu wa n’emal wakeel
Translation
Allah is sufficient for us and most excellent is the protector.
Dua 02 [Quran 21:87]
لَّا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ
Transliteration
Laa ilaaha ilaa anta subhanaka innee kuntu minadhaalimeen.
Translation
There is no god but Thou, glory be to Thee; indeed I am of those who make themselves to suffer loss.
Dua 03
اَللَّهُمَّ اِنِّي اَسْأَلُكَ الْأَمْنَ وَالْإِيْمَانَ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَة
Transliteration
Allahumma inni asaluka wal amna wal eemaana fid-dunya wal aakhera
Translation
O Allah, I ask of You peace & faith in this world and in the hereafter
Etiquette Of Making Dua During Taraweeh Break
- Make dua in a quiet voice.
- Ensuring that other people are not disturbed.
- Not making it essential upon the others.
Collective Dua Between Taraweeh
A person can do their own personal and individual duas and dhikr during the break between taraweeh since he is permitted to do so. However, having collective dua after every four rakat is ma ust be viewed in the light of the statements of the jursit experts. Collective dua is not evident in the Shriah.
In response to a question about the practice of collective dua after every four rakaats of Taraweeh Salah, the esteemed Hanafi jurist Mufti Mahmood (A.R) stated, “This collective dua is not found among any of the revered predecessors we follow. In fact, it is an innovation that should be avoided.” He also referenced Al Madkhal, emphasizing that “One should abstain from innovations such as the loud collective recitation of dhikr after each Salah. Innovation in Islam is not permissible. The most reliable guidance was provided by the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, followed by the four Khalifahs and the Sahabahs. There is no record of such practices being endorsed by the pious predecessors. Therefore, what was lawful for them remains lawful for us.”
Reference: (Fatawa Mahmoodiyah Vol. 7, Pg. 345 Darul Uloom Jamia Farooqiya Karachi 2009).