As soon as the Ramadan moon is sighted, a beautiful change comes over the nights. After Isha, mosques fill with worshippers and homes grow quiet for extra prayer. Taraweeh prayer is the special night prayer of Ramadan, offered after Isha throughout the holy month, in which Muslims stand in prayer, listen to the Quran, and draw closer to Allah. For many, it is the most loved part of Ramadan: long, peaceful nights, the sound of the Quran, and standing together in worship. This guide explains what Taraweeh is, when it is prayed, how many rakats it has, the dua recited during its breaks, and how to pray it at home or in the masjid. All dates for Ramadan 2027 are expected and subject to moon sighting by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee.
What Is Taraweeh Prayer?
The word Taraweeh comes from an Arabic word meaning rest or relaxation, because worshippers pause and rest briefly after every four rakats. Taraweeh is the night prayer of Ramadan, also known as Qiyam al-Layl, the standing of the night. It is a Sunnah prayer, practised and encouraged by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), but not one of the five obligatory prayers. Its reward is immense: the Prophet (peace be upon him) said whoever stands in prayer during Ramadan with faith and hope of reward will have their previous sins forgiven (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim).
In most mosques, the imam recites from the Quran during Taraweeh, and in many mosques the whole Quran is completed over the month, a completion known as Khatam-ul-Quran. Hearing the full Quran in prayer is one of the great experiences of Ramadan. Even if you cannot attend every night, every Taraweeh carries its own reward.
Taraweeh is for everyone: men and women, young and old, at the masjid or at home. It is not obligatory, but it is a strongly emphasised Sunnah, and scholars encourage Muslims not to give it up without good reason. The nights of Ramadan come only once a year.
When Is Taraweeh Prayed in Ramadan 2027?
Taraweeh begins on the night the Ramadan moon is sighted, the night before the first fast. In 2027, the first fast is expected on Monday, 8 February 2027, so the first Taraweeh prayer is expected on the evening of Sunday, 7 February 2027, after Isha, if the moon is sighted that evening. Taraweeh then continues nightly until the Eid moon is sighted. Eid-ul-Fitr is expected on Wednesday, 10 March 2027. All dates are expected and subject to moon sighting by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, and the final announcement may move them.
Taraweeh can be prayed at any time after Isha and before Fajr. Most mosques begin right after Isha, so worshippers can stay and complete the night prayer in congregation. At home, pray right after Isha or later in the night. To plan your nights, check the daily Isha, Sehri, and Iftar times for your city on the Ramazan Calendar 2027 homepage.
How Many Rakats Are There in Taraweeh Prayer? 8 or 20?
This is the question people ask most about Taraweeh, and it deserves a calm answer. Both eight and twenty rakats are practised by sincere Muslims worldwide, and both have a basis in the early Muslim community. Scholars have differed on this for centuries; it should never become a cause of argument among Muslims.
Those who pray eight follow Aisha’s report (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not exceed eleven rakats in Ramadan or at other times: eight rakats of night prayer followed by three of Witr. This report is recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari. Those who pray eight often recite longer passages, following the Prophet’s practice of long, calm night prayer.
Those who pray twenty follow the practice established during the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), when the companions gathered behind a single imam for twenty rakats. This became the widespread practice of the Muslim world, followed in the two holy mosques in Makkah and Madinah and in many mosques in Pakistan.
The best approach is simple: follow your local masjid, pray with sincerity, and respect the other view. At home, choose the number you can sustain with devotion all month: eight rakats prayed slowly and with full attention are worth more than twenty rushed without focus. Whichever number you pray, Taraweeh is followed by Witr, usually three rakats, which closes the night prayer.
How to Pray Taraweeh Step by Step
Taraweeh is prayed like any voluntary prayer, in pairs of two rakats with a salaam at the end of each pair. No special words of intention are required; intention is made in the heart. Here is how a typical Taraweeh prayer works:
- Pray the Isha prayer first, including its fard and Sunnah rakats.
- Make the intention in your heart to pray Taraweeh.
- Pray two rakats and say the salaam, then repeat in pairs.
- After every four rakats, rest briefly. This pause is where Taraweeh gets its name. Use it to recite the tasbeeh, make dua, or sit quietly in remembrance of Allah.
- Complete eight or twenty rakats, as you follow.
- Finish with Witr, usually three rakats, which closes the night prayer.
Behind an imam, follow the imam and listen with attention. On your own, recite whatever you know of the Quran; short surahs are perfectly fine. Pray calmly and steadily: Taraweeh is about standing before Allah with devotion, and rushing defeats that purpose.
The Taraweeh Tasbeeh: Dua Recited During the Breaks
During the rests after every four rakats, many worshippers in Pakistan recite a well-known tasbeeh glorifying Allah and asking for protection from the Fire. It is recited softly. Here it is, with transliteration and English translation:
سُبْحَانَ ذِي الْمُلْكِ وَالْمَلَكُوتِ، سُبْحَانَ ذِي الْعِزَّةِ وَالْعَظَمَةِ وَالْهَيْبَةِ وَالْقُدْرَةِ وَالْكِبْرِيَاءِ وَالْجَبَرُوتِ، سُبْحَانَ الْمَلِكِ الْحَيِّ الَّذِي لَا يَنَامُ وَلَا يَمُوتُ، سُبُّوحٌ قُدُّوسٌ رَبُّنَا وَرَبُّ الْمَلَائِكَةِ وَالرُّوحِ، اللَّهُمَّ أَجِرْنَا مِنَ النَّارِ، يَا مُجِيرُ يَا مُجِيرُ يَا مُجِيرُ
Subhaana dhil-mulki wal-malakoot, subhaana dhil-‘izzati wal-‘azhamati wal-haybati wal-qudrati wal-kibriyaa’i wal-jabaroot, subhaanal-malikil-hayyil-ladhee laa yanaamu wa laa yamoot, subboohun quddoosun rabbunaa wa rabbul-malaa’ikati war-rooh, allaahumma ajirnaa minan-naar, yaa mujeeru yaa mujeeru yaa mujeer.
“Glory be to the Possessor of the kingdom and the unseen dominion. Glory be to the Possessor of might, greatness, awe, power, pride and overwhelming majesty. Glory be to the King, the Ever-Living, who neither sleeps nor dies. Most Glorious, Most Holy, our Lord and the Lord of the angels and the Spirit. O Allah, protect us from the Fire. O Protector, O Protector, O Protector.”
This tasbeeh is a customary practice for the Taraweeh breaks. No fixed dua is prescribed for these breaks in the Sunnah. If you do not know it, use the pause for any dua or remembrance, or sit quietly and rest. For the duas recited at Sehri and Iftar, see our guide to the Sehri and Iftar duas.
Praying Taraweeh at Home or in the Masjid
Praying Taraweeh in the masjid has clear benefits: congregation carries extra reward, you listen to the Quran recited by the imam, and you share the spirit of Ramadan with your neighbours and community. For many, the nightly walk to the masjid becomes a treasured Ramadan routine.
Praying at home is also perfectly valid and rewarding. The Prophet (peace be upon him) himself prayed the night prayer at home on many occasions, and there is no requirement to pray Taraweeh in the masjid. Many women pray at home, and many families pray together with one member leading. It also suits people who are unwell, caring for small children, or far from a masjid. What matters is sincerity, wherever the prayer is offered.
At home, fix a regular time after Isha so it becomes part of your routine, and choose a quiet corner where you will not be disturbed. Recite short surahs you know well, and do not try to do too much on the first night: a steady routine beats an exhausting one you abandon after a few days. Involve your family gently, especially children. If you miss a night, do not give up: there is no makeup prayer, and you can resume the next night.
Taraweeh Prayer and Laylatul Qadr
Taraweeh and Laylatul Qadr are directly connected. The last ten nights of Ramadan are the most precious nights of the year, and Laylatul Qadr, the Night of Decree, falls on one of the odd nights among them: a night the Quran says is better than a thousand months (Surah Al-Qadr, 97:3). In 2027, the odd nights are expected to fall on Saturday 27 February, Monday 1 March, Wednesday 3 March, Friday 5 March, and Sunday 7 March, with the 27th night, Friday 5 March, the most observed. All dates are expected and subject to moon sighting. On these nights, many add extra prayer, Quran recitation, and dua after Taraweeh.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught a short, beautiful dua for Laylatul Qadr to Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her). It is recorded in Sunan Ibn Majah 3850 and Jami’ at-Tirmidhi 3513:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibbul-‘afwa fa‘fu ‘anni
“O Allah, You are Forgiving and love forgiveness, so forgive me.”
Repeat this dua often on the odd nights. For more on the odd nights and how to spend them in worship, see our Laylatul Qadr 2027 guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Taraweeh prayer obligatory (fard)?
No. Taraweeh is a strongly emphasised Sunnah prayer, but not obligatory. Missing it does not carry the same weight as missing a daily prayer, but it means missing great reward; Muslims are encouraged to pray it whenever they can.
How many rakats is Taraweeh prayer?
Both eight and twenty rakats are practised, and both have a basis in the early Muslim community. Eight follow the report of Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) about the Prophet’s night prayer; twenty follow the practice established under Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him). Follow your local masjid and respect both views.
When does Taraweeh start in Ramadan 2027?
Taraweeh is expected to begin on the evening of Sunday, 7 February 2027, after Isha, if the moon is sighted that evening. The first fast is expected on Monday, 8 February 2027. All dates are expected and subject to moon sighting by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee.
Can women pray Taraweeh?
Yes. Women can pray Taraweeh at home or in the masjid where facilities are available. Many women pray at home with their families, and the reward is the same.
Can I pray Taraweeh at home on my own?
Yes. Taraweeh can be prayed alone at home, in pairs of two rakats, with whatever Quran you know. Congregation carries extra reward, but praying at home is valid and rewarding, especially for those who cannot reach a masjid.
What should I do if I miss Taraweeh one night?
Nothing is required: Taraweeh is voluntary, so there is no makeup prayer. Simply resume the next night; missing one night is no reason to give up the rest of the month.
Conclusion
Taraweeh prayer is one of the great gifts of Ramadan: a nightly meeting with Allah, a chance to hear the Quran, and a source of forgiveness and peace. Whether you pray eight or twenty rakats, at the masjid or at home, what matters is standing with sincerity and calm, night after night. As Ramadan 2027 approaches, plan your nights, learn the tasbeeh, and make the most of the last ten nights. The nights are short, the reward is immense, and the opportunity comes only once a year.