Some basic rules of Taraweeh

There is a Hadith in various books of Hadith:

Translation: Hadhrat Abu Salma Bin Abdur Rahman narrates on the authority of his father, Hadhrat Abdur Rahman (May Allah be well pleased with them) that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  Verily, Allah Most High has made the fasts of Ramadhan Obligatory (Fardh) on you and I have declared Taraweeh in it to be a Sunnah.

(Sunan Nasai, Hadith No. 2180; Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith No. 1318; Sunan Kubra Lil Baihaqui, Hadith No. 2520; Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaiba, Hadith No. 13; Jame’ Ul Ahadith Wal Maraseel, Hadith No. 13438; Kanzul Ummal, Hadith No. 23659/23660/23722)

How many Raka'at in Taraweeh?

The number of Raka'at in Taraweeh is 20 and it is Sunnah Moukkada (Compulsory Sunnah) for both men and women.  For men offering it in the Masjid along with the congregation (Jama'at) is Fardh Kifayah.  If all the men of a locality do not offer it, all of them will be considered sinners.

It is given in Durre Mukhtaar, Vol. 1, Pg No. 52:

Translation: Salaat Ul Taraweeh is by consensus Sunnah Moukkada, as the 4 rightly-guided Caliphs offered it regularly.

It is given in Radd Ul Muhtaar:

Translation: in Taraweeh, the congregation is Kifayah.  If all the men of a locality leave the congregation, then all of them have abandoned the Sunnah and have done a very bad thing indeed.


There is a Hadith in Sunan Baihaqui, Imam Tabarani’s Mo’jam Kabeer, Mo’jam Ausat, Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaiba, Musnad Abd bin Humaid, Majma Uz Zawaaid and Zujajatul Masabeeh:


Translation: It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abdullah bin Umar (May Allah be well pleased with him) that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) offered 20 raka’at of Taraweeh and Witr.

(Sunan Kubra Lil Baihaqui, Hadith No: 4799; Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaiba, Vol 2, Pg No: 286, Hadith No: 13; Al Matalib Ul A’aliya Li Ibn Hajar Asqalani, Hadith No: 642; Mo’jam Ausat Tabarani, Hadith No: 5598/810; Mo’jam Kabeer Tabarani, Hadith No: 11934; Majma Uz Zawaaid, Vol 2, Pg No: 172; Musnad Abd bin Humaid, Hadith No: 655; Zujajatul Masabeeh, Vol 1, Pg No: 366, Khulasatul Ahkaam Lin Nawawi, Vol 1, Pg No: 579, Hadith No: 1971; Al Talkhees Li Ibn Hajar Makki, Vol 2, Pg No: 52, Hadith No: 540; Fath Ul Bari Sharh Sahih Bukhari, Al Fiqha Tul Islami wa Adilla, Subul Ul Huda War Rashad, Vol 8, Pg No: 267)

How much of the Holy Quran should be recited in Taraweeh?

Completing 1 recitation of the Holy Quran is Sunnah, completing 2 recitations is better and 3 recitations is even better.

Regardless of whether one is going for Taraweeh of 1-1/4 Para or 5 Para please take care that the rights of the Holy Quran are fulfilled.  The recitation should be such that the words and letters of the Holy Quran are properly discernible.

Can we join Taraweeh in Ruku?

It is Mustahab (Commendable) to join the Salaat immediately after the first Takbir (Takbir Tahrima).  As given in Bada'i Us Sana'i, Vol. 1, Pg No. 467 and in Fatawa A'alamgiri, Vol. 1 Pg No. 68.  

Only out of laziness, waiting until the Imam to perform Ruku even after the Salaat starts is Makruh (Undesirable).  It is given in Durre Mukhtaar, Vol. 1 Pg No. 523:

Translation: To be lazy in Salaat is the sign of the hypocrites.

Allah Most High says in the Holy Quran:

And when they stand up for Prayer, they do it sluggishly, (simply) for showing off to the people. And they (also) remember Allah but little. Surah Nisa (4:142)

A true believer should not refrain from following the practices of the hypocrites.  On the other hand, Allah Most High  saves the person from the fire of Hell the person who joins the Salaat immediately along with the first Takbir:

Translation: It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Anas bin Malik (May Allah be well pleased with him) that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: Whoever offers congregational Salaat with the first Takbir for 40 days, 2 deliverances are written for that person:

1. Deliverance from hell

2. Deliverance from hypocrisy.  (Jame’ Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 241)

As given in Durre Mukhtaar, Kitab Us Salaat; Bada‘i Us Sana‘i and in Fatawa A’alamgiri, Kitab Us Salaat.

Can women become Imam for Taraweeh?

  In the opinion of the Ahle Sunnah, women leading the Salaat is not correct.  This ruling is keeping in mind the needs of women and has nothing to do with degrading women.  For the 5 Fardh Salaat, the women are encouraged to offer it in their own houses.  When the Obligatory (Fardh) Salaat are to be offered in the houses, then how can their leading Sunnah or Supererogatory Salaat be correct?

Not making congregation compulsory for women is a big gift for women from Allah Most High and has many advantages.  


Islam is a complete way of life for the whole creation.  In Islam, everyone has been given their responsibilities and
domains.  Women have been given the house and raising of children.  Man has been given among other responsibilities leading Salaat as well.  As women cannot lead Salaat at all, their leading men is not correct and leading of women in Salaat, be it for any Obligatory or Supererrogatory Salaat is Abhorrent (Makruh Tahrimi) as given in Fatawa A’alamgiri, Vol.  1, Pg No: 75.

Translation: For women, it is better to offer Salaat alone singly than with congregation.

What to do if there is no time to offer Taraweeh?

Taraweeh is a Sunnah Moukkada (Compulsory Sunnah).  Finishing one complete recitation of the Holy Quran in Taraweeh has not been stressed that much.

If one has other responsibilities, then one should offer the whole 20 Raka’at of Taraweeh with recitation of small Surah of the Holy Quran.  However, one must not miss it.