The correct answer is Isha & Fajar. Namaz-e-Taraveeh is a unique congregational prayer performed exclusively during the holy month of Ramadan. Its timing is strictly bound by the Islamic liturgical calendar, beginning immediately after the completion of the four obligatory... Read More
The correct answer is Isha & Fajar. Namaz-e-Taraveeh is a unique congregational prayer performed exclusively during the holy month of Ramadan. Its timing is strictly bound by the Islamic liturgical calendar, beginning immediately after the completion of the four obligatory (Fard) units of the Isha prayer and concluding just before the start of the Fajr (dawn) prayer. While it is a voluntary (Sunnah Mu’akkadah) act of worship, its communal nature and association with the revelation of the Quran make it one of the most significant nightly rituals in the Muslim world.
The word "Taraveeh" is the plural form of the Arabic word Tarviha, which literally translates to "a rest" or "to relax." Historically, this name was derived from the practice of the early Muslims who would take a brief rest after every four units (Rakats) of the prayer because of the length of the Quranic recitations.
The origins of Taraveeh trace back to the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H). During the month of Ramadan, the Prophet (P.B.U.H) came out of his quarters and led a group of companions in prayer for three consecutive nights. However, on the fourth night, despite a large gathering of people waiting for him, he did not emerge. He later explained that his absence was due to his concern that if he continued to lead it in congregation every night, the prayer might be made obligatory (Fard) upon the Ummah, which could become a burden for some believers.
After the passing of the Prophet (P.B.U.H) and during the caliphate of Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A), people continued to offer Taraveeh either individually or in small, scattered groups within the mosque. It was the second Caliph, Hazrat Umar ibn al-Khattab (R.A), who institutionalized the prayer into its modern form.
In the year 14 AH (635 AD), upon entering the Prophet's Mosque and seeing the disorganized state of the worshipers, Umar (R.A) decided to unify the community under a single Imam. He appointed Ubayy ibn Ka’b, one of the most proficient reciters of the Quran, to lead the people. When he saw the believers praying together in a disciplined and beautiful manner, Umar (R.A) remarked, "What an excellent innovation (Bid'at) this is," referring to the restoration of the congregational Sunnah.
Islamic jurists across all major schools of thought—Hanafi, Shafi'i, Maliki, and Hanbali—agree that the window for Taraveeh is the entire night between Isha and Fajr. However, if a person performs Taraveeh before the Isha prayer, it is generally considered invalid as a "Taraveeh" prayer and is instead treated as a general voluntary prayer.
The most preferred time, according to historical practice, is the first half of the night, allowing the worshipers to complete the prayer and still have time for sleep and the pre-dawn meal (Suhoor). While the number of Rakats has seen historical variation—with 8 and 20 being the most commonly practiced—the focus has always remained on the quality of the Quranic recitation and the spiritual "resting" between the sets.
Beyond the timing, Taraveeh serves as a method for the "Khatm" (completion) of the Quran. Historically, Imams strive to recite the entire Quran over the course of the 29 or 30 days of Ramadan. This allows the community to hear the divine word in its entirety, fostering a deep communal bond and spiritual rejuvenation. The prayer is not merely a physical act but a historical tradition that commemorates the month in which the Quran was first sent down to the world.
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