The Tarawih prayer is a 20-rakah sunnah mu'akkadah prayer performed every night after the Isha prayer throughout Ramadan. It can be performed in congregation at the mosque or individually at home; after every 4 rakahs there is a short rest period ("tarwīhah" — the name of the prayer comes from this).
Tarawih comes from the Arabic "tarwīhah" (resting, taking ease); the prayer takes its name from the short rest taken after every 4 rakahs. It is a sunnah prayer specific to the month of Ramadan and was practised by the Prophet (peace be upon him).
This guide describes the 20-rakah Tarawih according to the Hanafi school as taught by Türkiye's Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet).
01
Definition
What is Tarawih?
The Tarawih prayer is a sunnah mu'akkadah prayer performed every night after the Isha prayer throughout the month of Ramadan. It can be performed in congregation or individually; in congregation is more rewarding, but the individual prayer is also valid. The Prophet (peace be upon him) prayed long night prayers during Ramadan, and the Companions followed him in this practice.
Initially performed individually, Tarawih began to be prayed in congregation as 20 rakahs under the leadership of Ubayy ibn Ka'b (RA) during the time of Umar (RA). Since this practice was accepted by the consensus of the Companions, the classical fiqh sources record it as 20 rakahs.
02
Time
Time and ruling
Time: It begins after the Isha prayer is performed and continues until the fajr adhān (imsāk). Tarawih is performed before the Witr prayer. It is not permissible to begin Tarawih before performing Isha.
Ruling: It is sunnah mu'akkadah for both men and women; that is, it is a sunnah that the Prophet (peace be upon him) prayed consistently and whose abandonment is disliked. Performing it in congregation is sunnah kifāyah: it is sufficient for one congregation to perform it.
03
Step-by-step
Step-by-step performance
Perform the Isha prayer first.Tarawih is performed AFTER the Isha prayer. First perform the 4 sunnah and 4 fard rakahs of Isha in congregation, then complete the final 2 sunnah rakahs. Tarawih is also performed BEFORE the witr prayer.
Make the intention — separately for each section.Tarawih is performed in sections of 2 or 4 rakahs. A separate intention is made for each section: "I intend to perform the Tarawih prayer of this time." If you are in congregation, add: "I have followed the imam."
Perform the first 4 rakahs (as 2+2).The first four rakahs are usually performed two at a time: intend 2 rakahs, perform them, give tasleem; then intend 2 more rakahs, perform, give tasleem. When all 4 rakahs are complete, the congregation sits for the "tarwīhah" (rest period).
Tarwīhah — a short rest and dhikr.After every 4 rakahs there is a brief seated pause. This pause is called "tarwīhah," and the name "tarawih" comes from it. During this time it is mustahabb to send salawat upon the Prophet or to do silent dhikr. In congregation the imam recites salawat aloud and the congregation joins in.
Perform the next 4 rakahs.After the tarwīhah pause the next 4 rakahs are again performed as 2+2. This cycle is repeated a total of 5 times: 5 × 4 rakahs = 20 rakahs. After each set of 4 rakahs there is a short rest.
After completing the 20 rakahs, perform the Witr prayer.Once the 20 rakahs of Tarawih are complete, the 3-rakah Witr prayer is performed, either in congregation or individually. During Ramadan, performing the Witr in congregation is recommended in the Hanafi school. The Qunut dua is recited in the Witr.
Total structure (Isha + Tarawih + Witr): Isha (4 sunnah + 4 fard + 2 sunnah) + 20 rakahs of Tarawih + 3 rakahs of Witr = on average 33 rakahs. In congregation it lasts 30-45 minutes.
04
Mukabele
Khatm tarawih
Khatm tarawih refers to the imam reciting one juz' of the Qur'an each night during the month of Ramadan in Tarawih, completing a full khatm of the Qur'an by the end of the month. Calculation: 30 nights × 1 juz' = 30 juz' = full khatm.
The congregation, by listening to the imam, earns the same reward. This practice is based on the Prophet's (peace be upon him) tradition of mutually reciting the Qur'an with Jibrīl (AS) each Ramadan ("arz al-qirā'ah"). In Türkiye, khatm tarawih is widespread in large mosques; it is broadcast over the sound system, and listeners at home can spiritually take part as well.
If a faster completion is desired, intensive programmes such as "5-day khatm tarawih" or "10-day khatm tarawih" are also offered; however, in such programmes the recitation is rapid and following along becomes difficult.
05
Individual
Tarawih at home
Someone who cannot go to the mosque, or who prefers not to, may perform Tarawih at home. At home the same structure applies: 20 rakahs after Isha, a short rest after every 4 rakahs, then Witr. The intention is: "I intend to perform the Tarawih prayer of this time" (if not in congregation).
If performed with the family at home, one of the men may serve as imam, with his wife and children standing as congregation behind him. When performed at home, the recitation may be from whichever surahs you wish. If 20 rakahs feels tiring, with the permission of the Hanafi school you may complete them in 5 sets of 4 rakahs.
06
Hatırla İslam
In Hatırla İslam
The Hatırla İslam app sends a Tarawih reminder every night during Ramadan. As Isha approaches, the app reminds you first of Isha, then Tarawih, then Witr in order; the rakah structure of each is shown visually.
If you would like to follow a khatm tarawih, you can start a 30-day plan in the Khatm section and record one juz' per day, progressing alongside the imam. For the time of Isha, see the Prayer times section.
07
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How many rakahs is the Tarawih prayer?
The Tarawih prayer is 20 rakahs in the Hanafi school and is sunnah mu'akkadah. This number was established by the consensus (ijmā') of the Companions during the time of Umar (RA). The Shafi'i and Hanbali schools also base it on 20 rakahs. Some modern scholars, drawing on certain authentic hadith, lead 8 rakahs; however, the widespread official practice in Türkiye is the Hanafi 20 rakahs.
Is Tarawih performed in congregation or at home?
Performing Tarawih in congregation is sunnah kifāyah; that is, it is sufficient for one congregation to perform it, and it is not required for everyone to attend the mosque. Performing it in congregation at the mosque brings more reward. Performing it alone or with family at home is also permitted and rewarded. Both practices are sound, since the Prophet (peace be upon him) sometimes prayed in congregation and sometimes at home.
Is it a sin if I don't perform Tarawih?
No. Tarawih is sunnah mu'akkadah; it is not fard or wajib. Not performing it is not a sin, but it means missing out on a great reward. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever spends the nights of Ramadan in worship out of faith and seeking reward, his past sins will be forgiven" (Bukhari). This hadith includes the standing of Tarawih. It is recommended not to abandon it whenever possible.
Is Tarawih made up (qadā)?
No. Since Tarawih is a sunnah prayer, missing one rakah or the entire prayer is not made up. Its time begins after Isha and continues until the fajr adhān; Tarawih not performed within this window simply lapses at the end of the night. Qadā for sunnah prayers comes up only in special situations (waking during makruh times, etc.).
What is the 8-rakah vs 20-rakah Tarawih debate?
Authentic hadiths report that the Prophet (peace be upon him) generally prayed 11 rakahs (8 Tarawih + 3 Witr) of night prayer, both in and outside Ramadan (Bukhari). For this reason some contemporary scholars argue for 8 rakahs of Tarawih. From the time of Umar (RA) onwards, the Tarawih performed in congregation has been accepted by ijmā' as 20 rakahs; the classical four schools all hold the 20-rakah view. The practice in Türkiye is 20 rakahs.
What is khatm tarawih?
Khatm tarawih refers to the imam reciting one juz' (part) of the Qur'an each night of Tarawih during Ramadan, completing the entire Qur'an by the end of the month. Calculation: 20 rakahs × 30 nights = 600 rakahs of standing, containing a full khatm. The congregation, following the imam, earns the same reward. It is widespread in the large mosques of Türkiye; it is also broadcast through the sound system.
How long does Tarawih take?
A Tarawih prayed in congregation (typical pace in Türkiye): about 30-45 minutes. A khatm tarawih (with longer recitation) can take 60-90 minutes. Performed quickly at home alone, it can drop to 20-25 minutes. After every 4 rakahs there is a short tarwīhah (rest) pause; the length of this varies with the recitation pace and the congregation's fatigue.
Do women perform Tarawih?
Yes. Tarawih is sunnah mu'akkadah for women as well. They may come to the mosque and pray it in congregation or pray it at home alone. In the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him), women used to come to the mosque to pray Tarawih. Women who are menstruating or in nifās do not pray Tarawih during that time; once pure, they resume on the remaining nights. Qadā is not required.
Is Tarawih obligatory on children?
No. Tarawih is not obligatory on children (they are not yet accountable), and it is not fard even for an adult Muslim who has reached puberty; it is sunnah mu'akkadah. To help children build the habit, taking them to the mosque for Tarawih and having them join a portion of it is recommended. They may be excused when they grow tired.
Is Tarawih performed as 2 rakahs or 4 rakahs?
Both practices are permissible in the Hanafi school. The widespread tradition in Türkiye is to give tasleem every 2 rakahs (2+2+2+2+2... = 20 rakahs). This is more in line with the sunnah and easier to follow. In some mosques 4-rakah units with one tasleem are also used (4+4+4+4+4 = 20 rakahs); this practice is also valid.
Is there a pause between Isha and Tarawih?
After the Isha prayer one moves directly into Tarawih; no long pause is taken. After the post-Isha tasbīhāt (Āyat al-Kursī, 33 Subhānallāh, etc.), Tarawih begins. In congregation the imam makes a brief reminder or invites the congregation to make their intention for Tarawih.
Which surahs are recited in Tarawih?
In Tarawih performed in congregation, imams generally recite short surahs in each rakah (especially in the range Surah al-Masad to An-Nās). In khatm tarawih, 20 pages (one juz') of the Qur'an are recited each night; in that case the recitation is longer. In individual Tarawih at home, you may recite any surah you wish; surahs such as al-Mulk, al-Wāqi'ah and Yāsīn are preferred.
