The short answer: the Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever stands in prayer during Ramadan out of faith and hoping for reward, his previous sins will be forgiven" (Bukhari and Muslim). Taraweeh is this night prayer of Ramadan, prayed after Isha. Praying it with the imam until he finishes earns the reward of praying the whole night (Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud).
The virtues of Taraweeh
| Virtue | Source |
|---|---|
| Previous sins forgiven for standing in Ramadan with faith and hope of reward | Bukhari and Muslim |
| Praying with the imam until he finishes is written as praying the whole night | Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud, graded sahih |
| Listening to much of the Quran in the month it was revealed | Quran 2:185 |
A note on the "virtue of each night" lists
Lists that give a special reward for each of the 30 nights of Taraweeh ("on the first night you become free of sin like a newborn…") circulate widely on social media and in booklets. Scholars of hadith have identified them as fabricated. The authentic virtues above are more than enough.
How Taraweeh began
The Prophet ﷺ led the night prayer in the mosque for a few nights in Ramadan, then stopped coming out, explaining that he feared it would be made obligatory on the people (Bukhari). Later, Umar ibn al-Khattab gathered the people behind one reciter, Ubayy ibn Ka'b, and the congregational Taraweeh continued from then (Bukhari).
8 or 20 rak'ahs?
- 8 rak'ahs (plus witr): based on Aisha's description that the Prophet ﷺ did not pray more than eleven rak'ahs at night, in Ramadan or outside it (Bukhari).
- 20 rak'ahs (plus witr): the practice that became established in the time of Umar, and the position of the Hanafi, Shafi'i and Hanbali schools. In Makkah and Madinah, 20 is prayed.
Both are prayed by scholars and communities around the world. Pray with your mosque, and don't let the number become an argument.
Praying Taraweeh with children
- Start small: let younger children pray 2–4 rak'ahs and then sit quietly or go home.
- Bring a quiet activity for very young children, and a prayer mat they choose themselves.
- Pray at home on some nights: a short family Taraweeh with Juz 'Amma surahs is a lovely way to practise.
- Talk about the recitation: ask what surah the imam read, or tell them the story behind it on the way home.
See also Ramadan activities for kids.
Our learn namaz online and Ramadan Quran classes for kids help children pray with confidence. You can book 3 free trial classes.
