Tarawih Prayers

It is prescribed to offer the night prayers in Ramadaan in

congregation or individually, but it is better to do it in congregation than to

do it individually for men. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon

him) led his companions in offering these prayers in congregation on several

nights. As for women it is best to pray at home but if the woman says I feel I

cannot concentrate when I pray at home or I feel lazy then she can pray in the

masjid. The Prophet peace be upon him said: the prayer of the woman in her

house is better than the Masjid

It is proven in al-Saheehayn that the Prophet (peace and

blessings of Allaah be upon him) led his companions in prayer (Taraweeh) for

several nights, then on the third or fourth night he did not come out to them.

When morning came he said: “Nothing prevented me from coming out to you except

the fact that I feared that it would be made obligatory for you.”

Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1129. According to the version

narrated by Muslim (761): “But I feared that night prayers would be made

obligatory for you and you would not be able to do them.”

The number of Rakas:

The best is what the Prophet peace be upon him used to pray

which is 11 rakas or 13 rakas. It was reported in the Sahih that Aisha may

Allah be pleased with her was asked how was the prayer of the Prophet at night

in Ramadan and she said: He never did more than 11 in Ramadan or any other

time) so this shows that 11 rakas is the best and you can do 13 also as per the

hadith of Ibn Abbas that the Prophet peace be upon him prayed 13 rakas.

But if it’s prayed as 23 rakas that is fine also because the

Prophet peace be upon him did not specify a certain number for the night

prayer. The Prophet peace be upon him was asked about the prayer of the night

in Sahih Al Bukhari: and he said: The pray of the night Mathna Mathna (in twos)

and if you fear the time of fajr then pray one and that should be your witr for

the day.

What to read?

It is better when reciting in Taraweeh to complete the

Qur’aan once. This may be understood from the reports in al-Saheehayn which

state that Jibreel used to study the Qur'aan with the Prophet (peace and

blessings of Allaah be upon him) in Ramadaan, and review it with him.

Shaykh Ibn Baaz said (15/325):

It may be understood from this that if the imam recites the

entire Qur’aan to the congregation during Ramadaan, this is a kind of this

studying together, because this lets them benefit from hearing the entire

Qur’aan. Hence Imam Ahmad (may Allaah have mercy on him) used to like to

complete the Qur’aan with those whom he led in prayer, and this is akin to what

the salaf did, namely liking to hear the entire Qur’aan. But this does not mean

that he should rush and not be deliberate in his recitation, and not seek to be

focused and calm, rather seeking these things is better than seeking to

complete it.

Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn Baaz, 11/331-333

If you do not memories the Quran you are allowed to hold the

Mus-haf and pray but you need to limit your movement as much as possible.