Tarawih

Tarawih prayers begin from the first Moon-sighted evening—the start of Ramadan—to second moon-sighted evening—the last day of Ramadan. This prayer is performed in congregation during Ramadan of the Islamic calendar, after Isha, and before witr, which is also prayed following the imam, who leads the prayer aloud in one or three raka'āts unlike for the eleven other months. Tarawih prayers are prayed in pairs. According to the Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali schools of Sunni Islam, the standard number of raka'āt is twenty since it is referred to in a narration in al-Muwatta, which states: "In the time of Umar, the people used to offer 20 raka'āt." However, it clearly mentions in the before the said narration that when Umar assigned Ubayy ibn Ka'b and Tamim al-Dari the duty lead the Tarawih, he ordered them to offer 11 raka'āt (eight of Tarawih and three of witr). Sunni Muslims believe it is customary to attempt a takmil ("complete recitation") of the Quran as one of the religious observances of Ramadan, by reciting at least one ''juz''' per night in tarawih. Tarawih prayers are considered Sunnah, or meritorious but not obligatory. However, it is believed that the reward for them is great, as it is the Sunnah of Muhammad and is reported in multiple authentic hadiths. Muhammad—according to Abu Hurayra—said: "Whoever stands with the imam (in Taraweeh prayer) until he finishes, it is equivalent to spending the whole night in prayer." The hadith was used as a proof by Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal. ==Background==

Tarawih is a prayer that is mentioned in Sunni traditions as Qiyam al-Layl min Ramadan ("Standing of night in Ramadan") and Qiyam al-Ramadan ("Standing of Ramadan"). Some Sunni Muslims regard Tarawih as confirmed traditional prayers (''sunnat al-mu'akkadah). Other Sunni Muslims believe Tarawih is an optional prayer (nafl) that may be performed at home. According to that tradition, Muhammad initially and briefly prayed the Tarawih in congregations during Ramadan but discontinued the practice out of concern it would be mandated (fard'') though he never forbade it. When Umar was caliph, he reinstated the praying of Tarawih in congregation. Shia Muslims regard congregational Tarawih as a ''bid'ah'' ("innovation") that was reintroduced by Umar, according to his own words, after the death of Muhammad. A Shia hadith, however, is claimed to have authenticated the Sunni prayer Tarawih, but that is disputed since not all hadiths in Kitab al-Kafi are sahih ("genuine"): Muhammad al-Bukhari narrated regarding the Tarawih prayer in Sahih al-Bukhari: Instead, Twelvers believe in the Tahajjud prayer, or ("night prayer"), which is recommended throughout the year, especially during the nights of Ramadan. ==Other==

On 3 January 2000, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad expressed regret that Tarawih prayers were used by certain people for political gain. On 2 April 2022, hundreds of Muslims gathered in Times Square, New York City, to perform the first Tarawih prayers of Ramadan. Before the prayers, over 1,500 meals were handed out to the people to break their fast, known as iftar. The event marked the first public Tarawih prayers to be held in Times Square. == Instructions for Tarawih (step-by-step) ==