How To Do Taraweeh At Home and Stay Safe During the Pandemic

It is written in the Holy Qur'an in the Surah Al-Baqarah verse 185: “Ramadhan is the (month) in which was sent down the Quran, as a guide to mankind, and also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong).”

Therefore, let's welcome Ramadhan with positive minds and gratitude over what we have passed through during this year. We have made it to Hari Raya 1443 Hijr in a good health.

In the month of Ramadhan, several practices must be done by the Muslim community. One of these practices is the Taraweeh prayer. Even though some of us have to do it at home during this Ramadhan because of the pandemic, Taraweeh prayers can be done at home.

To guide you on how to do Taraweeh at home, Halaltrip will discuss and give you guidance on how to practice it.

Understanding the Meaning of Taraweeh

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Taraweeh is an Arabic word that means "to rest and relax". Taraweeh prayer is a sunnah prayer that is done during the month of Ramadhan. It is performed at night after Isha.

Our prophet, Muhammad S.A.W. recounted, "He who observes optional prayer (Taraweeh prayers) throughout Ramadhan, out of the sincerity of Faith and in the hope of earning reward will have his past sins pardoned." Therefore, we know that Taraweeh is a very virtuous act of worship during Ramadhan.

Ramadhan is the perfect time to obtain Pahala. After performing Taraweeh, Muslims can read more of the Qur'an during the month of Ramadhan, pay zakat, do good deeds, and practice self-restraint to avoid sin.

Why We Should Do Taraweeh at Home

As cited in Sunnah.com:

وعنه، رضي الله عنه قال‏: ‏ كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، يرغب في قيام رمضان من غير أن يأمرهم فيه بعزيمة، فيقول‏: ‏ ‏ "‏من قام رمضان إيمانًا واحتسابًا غفر له ما تقدم من ذنبه‏"‏ ‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to urge (the people) to perform (optional Tarawih) prayer at night during the month of Ramadhan. He did not order them or make it obligatory on them. He (ﷺ) said, "Whosoever performs (optional Tarawih) prayers at night during the month of Ramadhan, with Faith and in the hope of receiving Allah's reward, will have his past sins forgiven." [Muslim].

Riyad as-Salihin 1188

Both in times of trials and joys, seeking forgiveness and reward through prayers and good deeds should be encouraged, especially if it is done in the month of Ramadhan. Therefore, when we are still given health even though there are rules not to perform Salath al-Jamaat in the mosques for our safety due to the high number of COVID-19, we can still seek Pahala by performing Taraweeh at home.

Doing Taraweeh at home is not as difficult as it seems. It can be done alone or in the congregation at home. Let's take a look at the section below to find out how to do the Taraweeh prayer correctly.

How to Do Taraweeh at Home

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1. Decide on how many rak'ah you will be performing
   A rak'ah is a prayer unit used for Salah. It is entirely up to you how many rak'ah you like to perform on Taraweeh. It does not matter how many rak'ah you can perform, it is the quality of the prayer that should be counted. However, you are following the sunnah if you pray your rak'ah in pairs; which is 2 (two) by 2 (two) resulting in even numbers in total. To end the Taraweeh, you must then perform Witr with odd numbers of rak'ah; 1 (one) or 3 (three) in totals.
   As cited in Sunnah.com:
   

   حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا مَالِكٌ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، وَعَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ دِينَارٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، أَنَّ رَجُلاً، سَأَلَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنْ صَلاَةِ اللَّيْلِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ صَلاَةُ اللَّيْلِ مَثْنَى مَثْنَى، فَإِذَا خَشِيَ أَحَدُكُمُ الصُّبْحَ صَلَّى رَكْعَةً وَاحِدَةً، تُوتِرُ لَهُ مَا قَدْ صَلَّى.‏"‏‏‏

   Narrated Ibn `Umar:
   Once a person asked Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) (ﷺ) about the night prayer. Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) replied, "The night prayer is offered as two Rak'ah followed by two Rak`ah and so on and if anyone is afraid of the approaching dawn (Fajr prayer) he should pray one Rak`ah and this will be a Witr for all the Rak`ah which he has prayed before."
   Sahih al-Bukhari 990
2. Decide on which Surah you are going to memorize during Taraweeh
   Surahs of various types are commonly recited by Muslims all around the world. Some people read one page of the Qur'an in each cycle, beginning with Surah al-Baqarah. Some people utilize a short Surah, beginning with Surat at-Takatsur and ending with Surat al-Masad or al-Lahab (102nd to 111th chapters), each of which is completed in the first rak'ah. Read Surah al-Ikhlas for the second rak'ah. Aside from the ones just stated, there are numerous other techniques.
   However, there is no Shari'a ban against reading any Surah during the Taraweeh prayer. The main reward for reading Surah is given to any letter that is read. What is the most important thing is that you recite the other Surahs after reciting Surah al Fātiḥah with correct and clear recitation and memorization.
3. Ensure cleanliness and say the intention
   Ensure that your environment and body are free against najis, notably In Islamic law, najis (Arabic for ritually unclean) signifies ritually unclean. According to Islam, there are two types of najis: vital najis that cannot be washed and unessential najis that become najis when they come into contact with other najis.
   In a conclusion, make sure you're clean by cleaning from head to toe, and don't forget to clean the clothes you're wearing and your surroundings. After that, you can perform Wudhu which is preceded by reading the intention of Wudhu. Don't forget to say the intention of Wudhu and the intention of Salat.
4. Perform Isha before Taraweeh
   Start the Taraweeh which is sunnah with the obligatory Salah Isha after the Adhan is finished. If you pray alone, the intention is different from when you pray in the congregation. Make sure to read the recitation of Salat Isha correctly.
5. Perform Salah Taraweeh
   The following is the complete procedure for praying Tarawih, especially for you if you do it alone.
1. Say the intention of praying.
• Taraweeh alone:
  Ushalli sunnatat tarawihi rak'ataini mustaqbilal qiblati adaa an lillahi ta'ala.
  Meaning: "I intend to pray tarawih two rak'ahs facing the Qibla for Allah Ta'ala."
2. Reading intentions when takbiratul ihram.
3. Say takbir while takbiratul ihram.
4. Read Surah Al-Fatihah, then continue with the Surah of the Qur'an.
5. Ruku.
6. I'tidal.
7. First prostration.
8. Sit between the two prostrations.
9. Second prostration.
10. Sit down and rest before moving on to the second rak'ah.
11. Get up from sitting to do the second rak'ah in the same order.
12. Salam on the second rak'ah.
6. End the Taraweeh with Witr and perform Du'a
1. Salat Witr you can start by saying the intention:
   Alone:
• 1 (one) rak'ah alone at home.
  Ushalli sunnatal witri rak'atan mustaqbilal qiblati ada'an lillāhi ta'ālā.
  Meaning: "I intend to pray sunnah witr one rakaat for Allah Ta'ala."
• 3 (three) rak'ahs alone at home.
  Ushalli sunnatal witri tsalâtsa raka'âtin mustaqbilal qiblati adâ'an lillâhi ta'âlâ
  Meaning: "I deliberately pray the three rak'ahs of the sunnah witr prayer facing the Qiblah because of Allah Ta'ala."
2. Takbiratul Ihram.
3. Read Surah Al-Fatihah.
4. Recite a Surah.
5. Ruku.
6. I'tidal.
7. Prostration.
8. Final takhiatu (only if it is 1 (one) rak'ah).
9. Salam.
10. Dzikir and Dua after Witr.
    
    

    "سبحان الملك القدوس" ثلاث مرات والثالثة يجهر بها ويمد بها صوته "ربِّ الملائكةِ والرّوح"
    
    

    Subḥāna ‘l-Maliki ‘l-Quddūs. [Recite three times, and raise and extend the voice on the third time and say...] Rabbi ‘l-Malā'ikati war-rūh.
    
    Glory is to the King, the Holy. [Recite three times in Arabic, and raise and extend the voice on the third time and say...] Lord of the angels and the Spirit.
    Reference: An-Nasa'i 3/244, Ad-Daraqutni and others. The final addition is from Ad-Daraqutni's version 2/ 31 and its chain of narration is authentic. See the checking of Zadul-Ma'ad by Shu'aib Al-Arna'ut and 'Abdul-Qadir Al-Arna'ut 1/337.
    
    Hisn al-Muslim 119 (Taken from https://sunnah.com/hisn:119)
    
    or

    اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِرِضَاكَ مِنْ سَخَطِكَ وَبِمُعَافَاتِكَ مِنْ عُقُوبَتِكَ وَأَعُوذَ بِكَ مِنْكَ لَا أُحْصِي ثَنَاءً عَلَيْكَ أَنْتَ كَمَا أَثْنَيْتَ عَلَى نَفْسِكَ

    "O Allah, I seek Your refuge (protection) from your displeasure through. Your pleasure and from Your punishment with forgiveness. I seek refuge from all calamities and punishments. I have no words to Praise You as You have praised Yourself.
    (Hisnul Hasin).
    ^{Note: You can choose your own Dua version.}

Those are the steps on how to perform Salah Taraweeh at home during the pandemic. Download Halaltrip from Google Playstore and Apple Appstore for free to know where the Qiblah direction is and your local prayer times!