Its reward
The Prophet ﷺ said: whoever prayed at night throughout Ramadan with faith and hoping for Allah’s reward will have their previous sins forgiven (Sahih al-Bukhari 2009).
Where congregational Taraweeh comes from
The Prophet ﷺ led the night prayer in the mosque on some nights of Ramadan, then stopped, fearing it would be made obligatory. Later, ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab found people praying in scattered groups and gathered them behind one reciter, Ubayy ibn Ka‘b (Sahih al-Bukhari 2010). Praying it together in the mosque has continued ever since.
How many rak’ahs?
Aisha reported that the Prophet ﷺ did not pray more than eleven rak’ahs at night, in Ramadan or outside it (Sahih al-Bukhari 1147): that is 8 plus 3 of Witr. Many mosques, including in Makkah and Madinah, pray 20, following the practice reported from the time of ‘Umar. The Prophet ﷺ also said the night prayer is “two by two” without setting a number (Sahih al-Bukhari 990).
Scholars from all four schools accept both practices, so this is not something to argue over. Pray with your mosque’s imam until he finishes: the Prophet ﷺ said whoever prays with the imam until he leaves is recorded as having prayed the whole night (Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi 806).
How to pray it
- After Isha and its sunnah, intend Taraweeh in your heart.
- Pray two rak’ahs at a time, ending each pair with tasleem, just like any two-rak’ah prayer (how to pray Salah).
- Recite what you can. At home you can read from a mushaf or a phone; many people aim to finish the Quran across the month.
- End with Witr, one or three rak’ahs. If you plan to wake for Tahajjud, you may save Witr until then.
At home or in the mosque?
Both are good. Women may pray at home or attend the mosque. If you can’t get to the mosque, pray at home with your family, even a few rak’ahs: small deeds done consistently are beloved to Allah.