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Taraweeh prayer

Taraweeh is the night prayer of Ramadan, prayed after Isha and before Witr. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever stands in prayer in Ramadan out of faith and hoping for reward will be forgiven his past sins" (Bukhari, Muslim).

How many rak'ahs?

Both are practised: 20 rak'ahs is the practice of the Hanafi, Shafi'i and Hanbali schools and of the Haramain; 8 rak'ahs follows the Prophet's usual night prayer as reported by Aisha. Either is valid; pray with your mosque.

How to pray

• After Isha (and its sunnah), pray in sets of two rak'ahs with salam.
• After every four rak'ahs there is a short rest; this is where the name tarwiha, "rest", comes from.
• Finish with Witr.
• Many mosques complete the whole Qur'an in Taraweeh during the month.

At home

Taraweeh can be prayed at home, alone or with family, reciting whatever you know. Women may pray at home or in the mosque.