Taraweeh, or Taraweeh prayer, is a night prayer performed during the holy month of Ramadan after completing the compulsory Salah (Isha prayer). The term itself arises from an Arabic root meaning ”to rest” or “to relax” because, in many communities, a short pause is taken after every four rak’ahs. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) used to pray Taraweeh both individually and in congregation. During his lifetime, when the Muslim community would congregate at the mosque, they would follow him in prayers; on one such occasion, he stopped leading them on the fourth night out of fear that the prayer would gain an obligatory status among his followers. This foreboding warning is found in the hadith of ʿĀ’ishah (RA) found in Sahīh al-Bukhārī and Sahīh Muslim. IMPORTANT NOTE: Taraweeh (Taraweeh Dua)is not a fard prayer but rather a highly meritorious (Sunnah Muʾakkadah) prayer that Allah SWT set as one of the keys to achieving immense rewards and benefits without burdening the believers.

2. Fiḳh Status of Taraweeh

Although some might err and call Taraweeh fard, the overwhelming opinion of the scholars, based on numerous sound hadiths and the practice of the Messenger of Allah, is that it is a nafl prayer. The Prophet (peace be upon him) prayed Taraweeh some nights and deliberately did not pray on others to ensure that it would not become a legal obligation. And so his companions continued to look at it as encouraged voluntary behaviour. The practice was reintroduced and regularly performed in a congregational form, gathering the community behind a single reciter during the Hazrat ʿUmar (RA) caliphate. Aside from promoting unity, this allowed for the complete recitation of the Qur’ān throughout Ramadan. Historical reports attest that, even from the time of ʿUmar (RA), through the time of ʿUthmān and ʿAlī until today, the congregational Taraweeh being prayed either with twenty rak’ahs or some more– was the widespread practice.

3. The Dua for Taraweeh

Several communities have settled on a brief supplication during the short interruption after every four rak’ahs or after the Taraweeh prayer. And since there is no fixed obligatory dua mentioned in an authentic ḥadīth for this break (and any fixed ritual of supplicatory recitation in this context would be considered bid’ah if made mandatory upon all), the scholars unanimously acknowledge that personal dhikr and remembrance are always commendable. Below is one commonly recommended dua, written in Arabic with its English translation and transliteration. (While various scholars have suggested supplications for Taraweeh, one should avoid considering any extra ritual as compulsory.)

Dua Taraweeh in Arabic 

سُبْحَانَ ذِي الْمُلْكِ وَالْمُلَكُوتِ،   سُبْحَانَ ذِي الْعِزَّةِ وَالْعَظَمَةِ،   وَالْهَيْبَةِ، وَالْقُدْرَةِ، وَالْكِبْرِيَّاءِ،   وَالْجَبْرُوتِ.   سُبْحَانَ الْمَلَكِ الْحَيِّ، الَّذِي لَا يَنَامُ وَلَا يَمُوتُ.   تَامُّ الْحُسْنِ وَالتَّقْدِيسِ،   رَبَّنَا، رَبَّ الْمَلَائِكَةِ وَالرُّوحِ.   اللَّهُمَّ إِجْعَلْنَا مِنْ مَنْ يَحْصُلُ عَلَى رَحْمَتِكَ   وَيَسْتَعِيذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ النَّارِ.   اللَّهُمَّ آمِينَ.

Dua Taraweeh English Translation

Glorified be He Who is the Lord of the Unseen and the Manifest dominion. The sublimity of Him who is the All-Glorious, the All-Mighty, the All-Powerful, the All-Subduing, the All-Highest. In this other glorious flash, the Living King does not sleep nor die. You are pure, perfect in beauty and sanctity, He teaches the angels and also the souls. O Allah, facilitate for us what will cause us to be among those who attain Your mercy and are saved from the hardship of the Fire. O Allah, Ameen.

Transliteration

Subḥāna dhī al-mulki wa-al-mulkuut,   Subḥāna dhī al-‘izzati wa-al-‘aẓamah,   wa-al-haibati, wa-al-qudrati, wa-al-kibriyā’i,   wa-al-jabruut.   Subḥāna al-malka al-ḥayyi alladhī lā yanām wa-lā yamūt.   Tām al-ḥusni wa-al-taqdīs,   Rabbana, Rabb al-malā’ikati wa-al-rūḥ.   Allahumma ij‘alnā min manyaḥṣulu ‘alā raḥmatika   wa-yasta‘īdh bi-ka min ‘adhābin-nār.   Allahumma Ameen.

4. When Is This Dua Recited?

It is common in many mosques, and something I practice in my prayers to this day, to recite this dua (or whatever personal supplication one chooses, but containing some glorification of Allah’s majesty, mercy, and protection) after every four rak’ahs of Taraweeh (and the short resting period in between them). Even silent dhikr, or a brief recitation of remembrances, was said to occur when the Prophet’s companions occasionally paused during their prayers. So, this practice morphed into a moment of reflection. Nonetheless, it should be noted that there is no binding standard duty to repeat a specific dua at this stage; it remains personal, and flexibility is preserved.

5. Benefits of Taraweeh and Qur’ānic Reference

Spiritual and Moral Benefits:

• Forgiveness: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever stands (in prayer) during the nights of Ramadan with faith and seeking reward, all of his past sins will be forgiven” (Bukhārī and Muslim).
• Spiritual Upliftment: Praying extra prayers at night helps establish a greater bond with Allah and refreshes one’s soul.
• Benefit Physical — Our body gets trained for long hours of standing, bowing, and prostrating.

Qur’ānic Reference:

Although it does not provide the specific name of Taraweeh, the Qur’ān encourages voluntary night prayers. For example, in Surah Al-Muzzammil (73:20), Allah instructs to pray in a part of the night: > “And establish prayer and give zakah and loan Allah a goodly loan. And whatever good you put forth for yourselves, you will find it with Allah. It is better and greater in reward.”

6. Memorization and Preparation Before Ramadan

By Ramadan, Muslims should be well-versed in these supplications and other adhkar (remembrances). As a believer who comes into the blessed nights of Ramadan with a prepared heart and mind, such as knowing what to mention during the pauses in Taraweeh, the focus and quality of their worship becomes endearing. This preparation beautifies their prayer and maximizes its spiritual benefits.

7. Historical Revival: Hazrat ʿUmar and Congregational Taraweeh

The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught us the practice of night prayer, but he did not create a set format for it, fearing that doing so would burden his Ummah. During the caliphate of Hazrat ʿUmar ibn al-Khattāb (RA), the practice of offering Taraweeh in the congregation was revived after his demise. He saw that many Muslims prayed alone and wanted to unite them and ensure that the entire Qur’ān was recited during Ramadan, so he led them behind a single reciter. This was one of the most important events ever in the domain of the tariqa of Islamic worship, confirmed in classical sources 3.

8. FAQs on Taraweeh and Dua for Taraweeh

Q1: Is Taraweeh obligatory? A: No, Taraweeh is a Sunnah Muʾakkadah (highly recommended voluntary act of worship), not a fard (obligatory prayer). The Prophet (peace be upon him) did it for extra reward but warned his followers not to be compelled to do so. Q2: When should the Taraweeh dua be recited? A: This dua can be recited after finishing each of the four rak’ahs of the Taraweeh prayers. There is no prescribed, obligatory dua from the Prophet’s practice for this moment, but many communities, again, as a service of dhikr, utilize this moment to call to Allah. Q3: Why is memorizing the dua before Ramadan emphasized? A: Without interruptions and distractions, they will stand with devotion before their Lord and take advantage of Ramadan’s sacred nights. Q4: Who revived the congregational Taraweeh prayer? A: Hazrat ʿUmar ibn al-Khattāb (RA) is known for reviving and systematizing the congregational Taraweeh prayer and for bringing the community together behind one imam so that the entire Qur’ān could be recited during the nights of Ramadan. Q5: What are the benefits of performing Taraweeh? A: The perks of Taraweeh are many: it purifies sins, increases the bond with Allah Azwajal, enhances discipline, is a form of postural exercise that works out fitness, and allows for a spiritual recharge during Ramadan.

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Wrap Up

In short, Taraweeh ranks amongst Ramadan’s most significant symbolic actions — based on Prophetic command, perfected by the efforts of the great men of the Sahabah and later by Hazrat ʿUmar (RA) [may Allah be pleased with him]. Whether you are praying at home or in the congregation, partaking in these extra night prayers in addition to sincere dhikr (in particular, the short dua after every four rak’at) brings increased spiritual reward and draws you nearer to Allah. Memorizing or internalizing such supplications before the month of Ramadan allows the devotee to deeply engage in this revered month’s serene and meditative spirit. May Allah grant us all the strength and sincerity to benefit from the nights of Ramadan and accept our worship. Allahumma Ameen. Read More: We have gathered a collection of beautiful duas to improve your life according to Islamic teachings, which are shared below. Dua for Traveling>>Dua Istikhara for Marriage>>Dua Affter Azan>>Pain relief Dua’s>>Dua for protection