Taraweeh Prayer Guide – Time, Rakats & How to Pray

Taraweeh prayer is the special voluntary night prayer associated with Ramadan. Muslims agree on the virtue of standing in prayer during Ramadan, but there is a well-known scholarly discussion about how many rak'ahs should be prayed. You may therefore see mosques praying eight rak'ahs plus Witr, twenty rak'ahs plus Witr, or other established forms. This guide presents the principal evidence and major scholarly positions without pretending that a legitimate historical disagreement does not exist.

Taraweeh Prayer: Key Facts

What Is Taraweeh Prayer?

Taraweeh is commonly used for qiyam al-layl—night prayer—performed during Ramadan. Its purpose is worship, Qur'an recitation, remembrance and standing before Allah during the nights of the fasting month.

The virtue of Ramadan night prayer is established in Sahih al-Bukhari 2008, which reports the promise of forgiveness for the one who stands in Ramadan with faith and seeking Allah's reward.

Did the Prophet ﷺ Pray Ramadan Night Prayer in Congregation?

Yes, authentic reports show that the Prophet ﷺ prayed with people for some Ramadan nights, but he did not continue leading them every night because he feared that the prayer might become obligatory upon the community. Later, during the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab, Muslims were gathered behind a reciter for organized congregational night prayer. This history helps explain why congregational Taraweeh became a widespread Ramadan practice.

How Many Rak'ahs Is Taraweeh: 8, 11, 20 or More?

This is the question that creates the most confusion. The disagreement becomes easier to understand when three different kinds of evidence are kept separate: the Prophet's own reported night-prayer practice, the general instruction about night prayer, and the congregational practice transmitted from the era of Umar and later jurists.

The Evidence for 11 Rak'ahs

The strongest direct evidence cited for eleven is the report of Aishah in Sahih al-Bukhari 2013. When asked about the Prophet's prayer in Ramadan, she stated that he did not exceed eleven rak'ahs in Ramadan or at other times. She described long and beautiful sets of prayer followed by three rak'ahs of Witr.

Those who strongly prefer eight Taraweeh rak'ahs plus three Witr point to this authentic description of the Prophet's personal night prayer and regard it as the best model in number as well as quality.

Why Do Some Scholars Say the Hadith of 11 Is About General Night Prayer?

A key interpretive point is that Aishah's wording explicitly says “in Ramadan or outside Ramadan.” For this reason, scholars who uphold twenty Taraweeh rak'ahs argue that the report describes the Prophet's regular personal night prayer rather than imposing an absolute maximum on congregational Ramadan qiyam.

They also point to the separate Prophetic instruction about night prayer being performed two by two, which does not state a numerical ceiling.

The Evidence That Night Prayer Is Two by Two

In Sahih al-Bukhari 990, Ibn Umar reports that the Prophet ﷺ instructed that night prayer is offered two rak'ahs at a time, and when dawn is feared, one rak'ah is prayed to make the prayer odd. The same principle appears in Sahih Muslim 749b.

Scholars who permit more than eleven rak'ahs use this general instruction as important evidence: it explains the form of night prayer but does not explicitly say “do not pray beyond eleven.” Other scholars still prefer eleven because of the Prophet's reported personal practice.

The Evidence for 20 Rak'ahs

The twenty-rak'ah position is deeply rooted in classical Sunni jurisprudence and congregational practice. Egypt's Dar al-Ifta summarizes twenty rak'ahs, excluding Witr, as the relied-upon position of the Hanafi, Shafi'i and Hanbali schools and the famous position in the Maliki school, while also recording other historical Maliki practice.

Reports cited by the jurists describe congregational Ramadan prayer in Umar's era at twenty rak'ahs, with Witr bringing the total commonly reported to twenty-three. On this approach, twenty is not viewed as contradicting the Prophet's night prayer; rather, the number of units could be increased while the recitation in each unit was made shorter.

But Does Muwatta Malik Report 11 Rak'ahs Under Umar?

Yes. This evidence should not be hidden. Muwatta Malik, Book 6, Hadith 4 reports that Umar instructed Ubayy ibn Ka'b and Tamim al-Dari to lead the people for eleven rak'ahs. The report also describes exceptionally long recitation, to the extent that worshippers leaned on staffs and remained until near dawn.

Scholars have reconciled the reports in different ways. One explanation is that eleven was practiced initially with very long standing and that the number was later increased while recitation was shortened. Other scholars take the eleven-rak'ah report as support for retaining the smaller number. The existence of both streams of evidence is one reason a balanced guide should not accuse ordinary Muslims following either established practice of having no basis.

Why Is 20 Taraweeh So Common in Hanafi, Shafi'i and Other Mosques?

Twenty rak'ahs became a major classical congregational norm. It is particularly familiar in Hanafi communities and is also the established classical position cited by Shafi'i and Hanbali jurists, with the famous Maliki position likewise given as twenty. This explains its prevalence across South Asia, the Middle East and many traditional mosques elsewhere.

Following twenty in such a mosque is therefore not an arbitrary modern addition; it rests on a long juristic and communal tradition.

Why Do Many Mosques Pray 8 Taraweeh?

Mosques that pray eight Taraweeh rak'ahs usually emphasize the authentic hadith of Aishah describing eleven total units of the Prophet's night prayer, commonly understood as eight plus three Witr. Some scholars regard this as the preferred number while still recognizing that voluntary night prayer is broad in scope.

Thus “eight has no evidence” is too simplistic, just as saying “twenty has no basis” ignores a major body of classical juristic practice.

What About 36 Rak'ahs?

A historical Maliki practice associated especially with Madinah is reported at thirty-six rak'ahs, apart from or alongside different Witr counting conventions. Classical explanations connect this practice with the worship pattern of Madinah and the desire to increase prayer. It demonstrates that the historical discussion was not limited to a binary fight between eight and twenty.

So Which Number Is Correct?

A careful answer distinguishes preference from validity. There is strong authentic evidence for the Prophet's eleven-rak'ah night-prayer practice, strong classical precedent for twenty-rak'ah congregational Taraweeh, and a general authentic instruction that night prayer is offered two by two without an explicit maximum stated in that hadith.

Accordingly, Muslims should follow sound scholarship and their established community practice without turning this recognized juristic discussion into hostility. Someone praying eight with long, attentive recitation should not mock someone praying twenty; someone following twenty should not claim that eight units of Ramadan night prayer have no Prophetic basis.

Does 11 Mean 8 Taraweeh + 3 Witr?

In the hadith of Aishah, the eleven includes the concluding odd-numbered prayer described as three. This is why contemporary discussions commonly describe the pattern as eight units of night prayer plus three Witr. Counting conventions should always be stated clearly: “twenty Taraweeh” often means twenty before Witr, whereas “eleven” commonly includes Witr.

How to Pray Taraweeh

1. Pray Isha first. Taraweeh belongs to the night and follows the obligatory Isha prayer.
2. Make the intention for voluntary Ramadan night prayer. A spoken formula is not required for intention.
3. Pray in pairs. The general Prophetic instruction for night prayer is two rak'ahs at a time.
4. Continue according to the practice you follow. This may be eight, twenty, or another recognized night-prayer arrangement.
5. Conclude with Witr. Witr makes the night prayer odd and is normally prayed before Fajr.

When Does Taraweeh Start and End?

Taraweeh is prayed after Isha during the nights of Ramadan and before Fajr. Mosque congregation times are administrative schedules and may begin some time after the Isha adhan. Use Prayer Times to check the local Isha and Fajr boundaries.

Ramadan itself begins according to the accepted lunar determination in the relevant community. Our Ramadan Calendar 2027 can help with planning, but estimated dates remain subject to moon sighting or the authority followed locally.

Can Taraweeh Be Prayed at Home?

Yes. Ramadan night prayer is not limited to a mosque building. Congregational prayer has a strong communal tradition, while voluntary night prayer may also be performed at home. Personal circumstances, family responsibilities, health and access to a mosque can affect what is practical.

Can Women Pray Taraweeh?

Women may perform Ramadan night prayer and may pray at home or attend a mosque where appropriate arrangements are available. Local mosque policies and practical considerations vary. Fasting issues specific to menstruation, pregnancy and breastfeeding are covered separately in Ramadan Fasting Rules for Women.

Do You Have to Complete the Entire Qur'an in Taraweeh?

Completing the Qur'an during Ramadan night prayer is a valued practice in many communities, but a person should not assume that the validity of Taraweeh depends on completing a full khatm. Recitation length varies greatly between mosques and individuals.

The hadith about eleven rak'ahs itself emphasizes the beauty and length of the Prophet's prayer, reminding worshippers that the quality of standing should not disappear from the discussion merely because communities count units differently.

Taraweeh and Witr

Witr is closely connected with night prayer. The Prophetic instruction in Sahih al-Bukhari 990 describes praying night prayer in pairs and then making it odd with Witr as dawn approaches. This is why many mosques conclude Taraweeh with Witr.

If someone plans additional night worship later, practical details about when to pray Witr can vary according to the guidance they follow.

Taraweeh vs Tahajjud vs Qiyam

Taraweeh in the Last Ten Nights

The final ten nights receive special attention because they include Laylat al-Qadr. Muslims may increase prayer, Qur'an recitation and supplication during this period. See Last Ten Nights of Ramadan and Laylat al-Qadr for the dedicated guides.

Common Mistakes in the 8 vs 20 Debate

• Claiming that the authentic eleven-rak'ah report does not exist.
• Claiming that twenty rak'ahs have no classical scholarly basis.
• Counting Witr in one comparison but excluding it from the other.
• Ignoring Muwatta Malik's report of eleven under Umar while discussing later reports of twenty.
• Assuming the number of rak'ahs is the only measure of following the Sunnah while ignoring length, concentration and recitation.
• Turning a recognized scholarly disagreement over voluntary prayer into sectarian hostility.

A Balanced Conclusion on Taraweeh Rak'ahs

The evidence explains why sincere Muslims can encounter different Taraweeh practices. Aishah's authentic report gives eleven as the Prophet's reported night-prayer practice; the general night-prayer hadith says to pray in pairs; Muwatta Malik records eleven under Umar with very long recitation; and a large classical juristic tradition supports twenty Taraweeh rak'ahs, usually followed by Witr. Historical Maliki practice also demonstrates larger numbers.

The sound approach for a global Ramadan guide is therefore to present these positions accurately rather than manufacture a false consensus around only one modern practice. Follow reliable scholarship, respect the established practice of your mosque, and focus on the purpose of Ramadan night prayer: sincere worship, Qur'an, humility and seeking Allah's reward.