Tarawih prayer
Tarawih is the Ramadan night prayer in congregation. It is not one of the five daily fard prayers.
On this site, Tarawih is presented in the common Hanafi pattern: 20 rakats in sets of two, then Witr after it. In practice, many people will also see mosques pray 8 before Witr.
How many rakats?
The number commonly used in Hanafi congregations is 20. The beginner-safe point is simpler: Tarawih is prayed in Ramadan at night, usually behind an imam.
How it relates to Witr
Witr is usually prayed after Tarawih and is not counted inside the Tarawih rakats. If your mosque follows a different local pattern, stay with the congregation.
What if your mosque prays differently?
Communities do differ. The practical answer is to pray with your mosque, stay consistent, and ask a teacher if you need the detailed fiqh discussion.
Common questions
- Is Tarawih only in Ramadan?
- Yes. Tarawih is the Ramadan night prayer. Outside Ramadan, the usual voluntary night prayer is Tahajjud or general nafl prayer.
- Is Witr included in the Tarawih count?
- No. On this site, Tarawih and Witr are separate. Witr is prayed after Tarawih, not inside its rakats.
- Do I have to pray Tarawih in the mosque?
- No, but many people do because it is commonly prayed in congregation behind an imam. If you cannot attend, ask a teacher what is best in your situation.
- What if I cannot stay for all of it?
- Pray what you can without turning it into an all-or-nothing issue. If your goal is steady Ramadan worship, consistency matters.
Related pages
Sources
“Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, 'Whoever prayed with the Imam until he finished, it was as if he prayed the whole night.'”