Excellence Of Tarawih Prayers

Assalamu’alaikum !

Abu Hurairah (RA) reported:

The Messenger of Allah (SAW) used to urge (the people) to perform (optional Tarawih) prayer at night during the month of Ramadhan. He did not order them or make it obligatory on them. He (SAW) said,

“Whosoever performs (optional Tarawih) prayers at night during the month of Ramadhan, with Faith and in the hope of receiving Allah’s reward, will have his past sins forgiven.”

[Muslim]

Commentary: This Hadith highlights the following points:

1. Qiyam (prayer at night) in the month of Ramadhan is a much-stressed act and has great importance from the viewpoint of reward and award.

2. The sins which are pardoned though are minor sins because major sins are not forgiven unless one makes sincere repentance and compensates those whom he has wronged.

3. That Qiyam during the month of Ramadhan was the practice of the Prophet (SAW). He performed this Qiyam in congregation with his companions. [It is not obligatory but is preferred that one prays Qiyam prayer during the month of Ramadhan].

4. Qiyam Ramadhan was later on named Tarawih. Since the Companions of the Prophet (SAW) used to make a lengthy Qiyam in them and they would take rest after performing every four Raka’ah. This is how these came to be named Tarawih (Rest prayer).

5. In Tarawih, that is Qiyam Ramadhan, lengthy Qiyam is a sunnah, but it must be borne in mind that the Qur’an must be recited according to the principles of ‘Ilm-at-Tajwid with clear and distinct voice at a slow pace.