Etiquette of Taraweeh Prayer in the Mosque
Understanding Taraweeh Prayer
Taraweeh refers to a collection of ‘tahweeh,’ meaning to rest one’s soul, particularly during the month of Ramadan. The term is derived from the rest taken after every four rak’ahs, wherein the congregation sits briefly between these two sets of prayers. As such, Taraweeh has become synonymous with the nightly prayers held during Ramadan. The Imam also takes a moment of respite after each set of four rak’ahs.
Etiquette of Taraweeh Prayer in the Mosque
There are several etiquettes associated with the Taraweeh prayer, including:
Proper Conduct While Walking to Taraweeh Prayer
- Walk calmly and respectfully towards the prayer, maintaining a composed demeanor. It is essential to lower one’s gaze, avoid distractions, and keep voices down. As narrated from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): “When you hear the call to prayer, walk to it with tranquility and dignity; do not rush. Whatever you catch, pray, and whatever you miss, complete.”
- Take shorter steps on the way to the prayer to maximize the reward.
- Upon reaching the mosque, step in with the right foot first, recite the supplication for entering the mosque, and perform two rak’ahs as a greeting for entering the mosque. This is because mosques are places of mercy, while outside areas serve as spaces for sustenance—an illustration of Allah’s grace upon sincere believers.
While Waiting for Prayer in the Mosque
- Engage in the remembrance of Allah.
- Recite the Quran and refrain from fidgeting, such as interlocking fingers. However, if one is not waiting for prayer, fidgeting is permissible as the Prophet practiced it after finishing his prayers.
- Avoid engaging in idle chatter or worldly discussions, as these detract from the rewards earned, similar to how fire consumes wood.
- As long as a person is waiting for prayer, angels will seek forgiveness for them. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The angels send blessings upon any one of you as long as you remain in your place, saying: ‘O Allah! Forgive him, O Allah! Have mercy on him,’ as long as he does not break his state.”
- Refrain from squandering rewards and becoming distracted by gossip and idle talk. This is a noble blessing bestowed upon Muslims; they should be mindful of the mercy that Allah grants during this blessed month.
- When the prayer is established, rise at the Imam’s call, “The prayer is established,” following the practice of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Should someone rise during the initial call of prayer, it is acceptable. However, if they cannot see the Imam, it is preferable to wait until they can.
- Be eager to occupy the front rows during Taraweeh. The Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned: “If people only knew the virtue of the call to prayer and the front rows, and if they could not get it except by drawing lots, they would draw lots for it. If they knew the virtues of the early morning and evening prayers, they would come to them even if they had to crawl.” For women, the last row is preferable to avoid direct sight of men.
- Ensure that the rows are straight, aligning shoulders and heels as emphasized by the Prophet (peace be upon him): “Align your rows and close the gaps. Keep your necks level with one another.”
- Close the gaps in the rows to avoid interruptions, making sure not to spread one’s legs excessively, as this disturbs fellow worshippers and creates openings in the lines, which is not supported by Islamic teachings. Muslims are encouraged to adhere to the Prophet’s guidance in maintaining orderly rows.
Status and Timing of Taraweeh Prayer
The Taraweeh prayer is considered a strongly recommended Sunnah for both men and women. The Prophet (peace be upon him) expressed a longing for the observance of Ramadan without making it an absolute obligation, stating: “Whoever stands in prayer during Ramadan with faith and seeking reward, his past sins will be forgiven.” Standing in prayer during Ramadan signifies dedicating the nights to worship, extending beyond mere salah to encompass all acts of worship.
The time frame for Taraweeh prayer extends from after the Isha prayer until the end of the night, just prior to and after the Witr prayer. The majority opinion holds that performing it before Witr and after the Sunnah prayer of Isha is preferable. The Hanafi school posits it is performed immediately after Isha and before Witr, deeming it unacceptable afterward. Performing Taraweeh prior to Isha is invalid in their view. The accepted stance aligns with the majority, as it is a nafl Sunnah performed post-Isha based on the practices of the companions and the actions of the Prophet (peace be upon him).