Is Taraweeh Nafl or Sunnah?

Taraweeh prayer is a nightly worship activity usually carried out during Ramadan and plays a special role in drawing Muslims closer to Allah, but does that mean it becomes compulsory to perform every night? Is Taraweeh nafl or sunnah?

The importance of Taraweeh, its origin, and the Islamic ruling concerning it is reviewed in this article. The flexibility in understanding the purpose of Taraweeh will help us come up with clarity of thought for our devotion through this special act of worship in Ramadan.

Is Taraweeh Nafl or Sunnah?

The status of the Taraweeh prayer, in most Islamic traditions, is that of a Sunnah Mu’akkadah; thus, it is not obligatory, but highly recommended by the teachings of Islam, especially in the month of Ramadan.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was performing Taraweeh regularly and made this emphasized Sunnah instead of a mere optional act, Nafl.

Here is a more elaborate breakdown:

Taraweeh as Sunnah Mu’akkadah (Emphasized Sunnah)

The Prophet ﷺ performed Taraweeh in the congregation for a few nights; however, he did not continue with every night out of fear that it would then become obligatory upon his followers. But based on his practice and encouragement, it became an established and highly recommended Sunnah.

The scholarly consensus is that the majority of the scholars view Taraweeh as a Sunnah Mu’akkadah.  Hanafi, Maliki, and Shafi’i schools of thought believe Taraweeh in the month of Ramadan is not an obligation, but an admirable act.

When Umar ibn Al-Khattab, RA, was the Caliph, he institutionalized this Salat of Taraweeh in the masjid as Congregational prayer for the sake of comfort and union. He appointed an imam to lead the prayers within the congregation, and thereafter, performing Taraweeh in the congregation is highly upheld till today.

Difference from Nafl (Optional) Prayers

Though Nafl prayers are those that one can pray at any time, Taraweeh holds a special status as it comes in Ramadan and the emphasis of the Prophet ﷺ and then Umar (RA) is very strong on it.

Number of Rakat in Taraweeh

Taraweeh is normally performed for 20 raka’hs, especially in the Hanafi maslak; however, different variations have been followed by some who continue with 8 raka’hs. As both are acceptable in the different schools, either can be performed as long as it is with sincerity.

In other words, Taraweeh is a Sunnah Mu’akkadah-recommended, but not obligatory during Ramadan.  This underlines the importance of Taraweeh in the spiritual climate of Ramadan and the building of a sense of communitarian feeling among Muslims during this sacred month.

How to Pray Taraweeh at Home?

Praying Taraweeh at home is easy and can be done individually or with family members in the congregation. Here’s how to pray Taraweeh at home in steps:

1. The Intention

He has to make an honest intention in his heart that he is going to perform Taraweeh for the sake of Allah. A person should not say this out loud as the intention verily is an act of the heart.

2. Decide the Number of Rakats

Taraweeh prayer is performed in 2 rakats sets. One can pray for 8 or 20 rakats. Both find their universal acceptance. Some people like to do more or less as per ease.

Each 2 raka’ah group will conclude with one tasleem, the closing with salam to both sides.

3. Two Rak’ahs Prayer Units

Now, carry out each 2 rak’ah set just like you would normally do while performing any other prayer: 

1.  Takbir: Start with saying “Allahu Akbar” and attach the hands to the chest or stomach.
2. Recite Surah Al-Fatihah: Following Al-Fatihah, a small Surah or some verses of the Quran may be read.
3. Ruku and Sujood: Complete the prayer to the final stage with bowing (ruku) and prostration-sujood.
4. Salam: After every 2-rakat set, enter into the Salam to your right and left.

4. To Be Recited

You may recite small Surahs where longer ones are not memorized. Some Muslims also make a habit of reciting a portion of the Holy Quran each night as a routine.

You could also hold a Quran in hand from which to read, although there are various opinions regarding this method; some scholars allow it during non-obligatory prayers.

5. Rest Between Sets (Optional)

Traditionally, after every four rakats, there is a slight break. This break, which is entitled Taraweeh-which translates to “rest”-can be put into use to make dhikr, or remembrance, to recite the Quran, or to rest for a few minutes.

6. Witr to Complete the Taraweeh

After completing the Taraweeh prayer, Sunnah will pray Witr to close the night prayer. Witr can be prayed as 1, 3, 5, or more rakats, but most commonly 3 rakats are offered. Following are some options for Witr:

Offer 3 continuous rakats with only one Tasleem at the end by reciting one Surah after Al-Fatihah in every Rakat. 

The 2+1 Method: First offer 2 rakats with Tasleem, and then separately offer 1 rakat with Witr.

7. Make Du’a After Witr

Taraweeh and Witr are opportune moments where personal duas can be made to Allah for his forgiveness, blessings, and guidance.

Additional Tips

• Consistency over quantity: Even if you pray fewer rakats, try being consistent every night of Ramadan.
• Family congregation: This means as a family, assign somebody to lead the prayers and pray together.
• Sincerity in mind: Taraweeh is supposed to draw one closer to Allah; hence, be focused, on putting to make this prayer sincere even though it is going to be short.

Thus, praying taraweeh at home allows flexibility in time and a personal touch to worship which most people cherish in Ramadan.

What Did the Prophet Say About Taraweeh?

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ pointed toward the special character of this prayer, and he urged people to perform the Taraweeh prayer during the nights of Ramadan because of its spiritual reward and relation to forgiveness. 

He never did it himself in the congregation through the nights consecutively. The Prophet did not perform Taraweeh every night lest people think it was compulsory for them, but he accorded it more importance as when he performed it at the beginning of Ramadan for some nights in the mosque, he stopped doing so afterward, and that was not for anything except for fear of obligation; 

Here are some of the statements he made about Taraweeh:

1. Encouragement to do the Night Prayer in Ramadan

The Messenger of Allah said:

“Whoever performs the night prayer during the month of Ramadan with firm belief and seeking his reward from Allah, all his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)

This hadith is to impress the spiritual reward that is attached to the prayers at night during Ramadan, including Taraweeh, and how it leads to forgiveness for past sins if prayed with a sincere intention of faith.

2. Initial Practice in Congregation

On several occasions, the Prophet ﷺ prayed Taraweeh in the mosque with his companions. However, he did not continue praying in the congregation every night. He explained:

I was afraid that it might be made obligatory for you. (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)

With this, he estimated the prayer but wished to save his followers from hardship. His occasional congregation gave way to the institution of Taraweeh as a highly recommended act of worship, especially during Ramadan.

3. The Practice Continued During the Caliphate of Umar ibn Al-Khattab

At the time of Umar ibn Al-Khattab, RA, he congregated all the people and had them perform Taraweeh prayers led by an imam whom he appointed. And Umar ibn Al-Khattab said:

“This is a good innovation.”

Although not a hadith, the scholars upheld that Umar did not perpetuate the institution of Taraweeh in the congregation of the Prophet’s tradition, sending Usman to lead the people in prayer, and thus is a common practice for Muslims during Ramadan.

4. Spiritual Benefits and Forgiveness

Beyond Ramadan, the Prophet ﷺ encouraged night prayers saying:

“The best prayer after the obligatory prayers is the night prayer. (Sahih Muslim)

Coming under this category of nightly prayers in Ramadan, Taraweeh, therefore holds a special place for worship, spiritual rejuvenation, and mercy promised.

In short, the sayings and actions about Taraweeh by the Prophet signified the prayer importance accorded to prayer in the month of Ramadan, citing the benefits that accrue towards issues like forgiveness, mercy, and spiritual upliftment of individuals in the blessed month.

Prayer of Shia Taraweeh

Shia Muslims do not offer Taraweeh as Sunni Muslims do. As a substitute, they give more emphasis to individual night prayers – Salat al-Layl or the Night Prayer – in mosques and at homes, which can be done at any time of the year, including Ramadan. 

With this background, an explanation will be provided about why this difference exists, and what Shia Muslims do during Ramadan:

1. View on Congregational Taraweeh

Generally, in the month of Ramadan, Shia Muslims do not offer congregational Taraweeh, and the reason behind this is that it is a Sunnah act and not Farad. 

Imam Ali RA has narrated a Hadith in which he advised one not to offer Nafl Salat in the congregation; hence, as Taraweeh Salat is Nafl they do not offer the congregational Taraweeh instead advise offering such Salat individually.

Shia scholars hold the view that Prophet Muhammad did not regularize the congregational Taraweeh and consider this practice that originated in the rule of Caliph Umar as being nonobligatory. 

2. Salat al-Layl

Instead of Taraweeh, the Shia Muslims have Salat al-Layl, which means the night prayer. It is an individual prayer, and one can offer it on any night of the year, including during Ramadan. 

Salat al-Layl is highly recommended, more so towards the latter period of the night, and consists of as many as 11 rakats as under:

• 8 Rakats: Offered in sets of 2 rakats.
• 2 Rakats: Called Shaf’s prayer
• 1 Rakat: Called Witr prayer.

Is It Forbidden to Miss Taraweeh?

Missing Taraweeh is not forbidden and does not have any negative consequences, as Taraweeh is not a Fard prayer, but Sunnah Mu’akkadah. No sin is allotted to him who may not pray the Taraweeh prayer, though the benefit of it in Ramadan is enormous.

Following are some additional points to consider:

1. Encouraged Not Obligated

Taraweeh was encouraged by the Prophet Muhammad and practiced by him in Ramadan but not every night in the congregation. 

He made it clear that he did so intermittently because he did not want it to become obligatory upon his followers. Thus, as high as the status, it is not an obligation.

2. Rewards and Forgiveness for Praying Taraweeh

The Messenger of Allah said:

“Whoever performs the night prayer in Ramadan with Eeman and seeking reward, will have all his previous sins forgiven.”(Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)

This hadith encourages praying at night in Ramadan, including Taraweeh and mentions the great rewards that come with it. 

Still, this is considered a volatile worship; there is no sin for one failing to observe it.

3. Taraweeh and Flexibility

Since Taraweeh is a prayer that is not obligatory, the Muslims are at their liberty and free will in deciding about its approach.  Some pray fewer rakats than others; some offer this prayer occasionally rather than each night. 

The purpose of this flexibility is that everyone should pray as much as they can easily bear and according to their capacity without compulsion.

4. Fard Prayer First

The five daily compulsory prayers or salah are the most basic forms of worship; it is more important to perform these than to devote oneself to Taraweeh. The first is considered graver in Islam if missed than the Taraweeh.

Conclusion

In other words, Taraweeh is not Haram; rather, it is a Sunnah, not an obligation. Whereas great reward and forgiveness have been attached to it, praying Taraweeh in Ramadan is completely left to the will of Muslims. 

It is advised, but at the same time, its omission does not entail any sin upon them.