Taraweeh Fiqh -Special Prayers of Ramadan

Q 5: Which things, acts are “Makrooh” in Taraweeh?

Answer: The following things, acts are Makrooh if done in Taraweeh:

To show haste in recitation from the Holy Quran and in observance of “Rukn رکن(pl. Arkaanارکان )” of prayer, to give up “Ta’awuz”, “Tasmiyah” and “Tasbeeh”, to offer two Rakaats after every two Rakaats (i.e. not to have respite after every four Rakaats) to sit and rest after ten Rakaats to offer Nafl prayer with Jama’at after four Rakaats or to offer Taraweeh prayer in sitting posture without valid reason.

Q 6: How is that for finishing the whole Quran in Taraweeh prayer?

Answer: To finish (complete the recitation of) the whole Quran serially once in Taraweeh is Sunnat-e-Muakkadah and twice is excellent and thrice is very excellent provided that Muqtadis are not burdened. However, the recitation of the whole Quran once must not be abandoned due to lethargy of people. There are over six thousand verses in the Holy Quran and total Rakaats of Taraweeh will be six hundred if the holy month of Ramadan is of thirty days. So it is not difficult to recite and listen to the Holy Quran in Taraweeh.

Q 7: How is that for hiring an “Haafiz”?

Answer: It is impermissible to hire an Haafiz (the one who has learnt the Holy Quran by heart) for conducting Taraweeh. Both giver and taker of payment will be sinner. However, it is not impermissible to give something to the Haafiz in recognition of his services provided that it is settled at the outset that neither he will be paid nor he will seek any payment. It is also permitted to make a deal of some payment with the Haafiz as compensation for conveyance and observance of punctuality of time, if no free Haafiz is available.

How rewarding it is if one conducts Taraweeh only for the sake of Allaah thereby making himself worthy of the great need and reward in the hereafter.

Q 8: How to offer Taraweeh if no Haafiz is available?

Answer: Ten Quranic chapters from “Alam Tara Kaiefa” (Surah Feil) to the last one (Surah Naas) should be recited in ten Rakaats and then the same Surahs be repeated in the remaining ten Rakaats if no Haafiz is available or the whole Quran can not be recited due to any valid reason. This method is easy to follow and also averts distraction of attention and concentration.

Q 9  How to recite the Holy Quran in Taraweeh?

Answer: Qiraa-at in obligatory prayer should be done slowly and calmly (showing no haste) and in Taraweeh be done at moderate speed and in Nafl prayer of night may be done with a slight speed provided that words and letters are pronounced properly i.e. the stretching proportion of the sound of “Mad” (prolongation mark on long vowel) fixed by “Qaaries” (the ones who recite the Holy Quran in accord with the standard rules) is observed otherwise it is “Haraam” (unlawful).

There is an express command for reciting the Holy Quran with “Tarteel” (clear and distinct recitation). It is obligatory to recite the Holy Quran with correct pronunciation to the best of one’s ability in obligatory prayer and to recite it incorrectly or so speedily.

Q10: Can one who offered ‘Ieshaa prayer by himself join Jama’at of Taraweeh and Witr or not?

Answer: The one who offered ‘Ieshaa prayer by himself can offer Taraweeh with Jama’at but should offer Witr prayer by himself. It is also permissible if he joins Witr Jama’at. And in case, he offered ‘Ieshaa prayer with Jama’at but offered Taraweeh by himself, he can offer Witr prayer with Jama’at. Doing this is an excellent act.

Q12: Can omitted, missed Taraweeh prayer be offered later or not?

Answer: Omitted, missed Taraweeh prayer cannot be offered later. If offered that will not be Taraweeh but “Nafl Mustahab” like that of Sunnat prayer of “Asr” and ‘”Ieshaa”.

Excerpts from Glorius Islaam