Taraweeh - Method and the 8-or-20 Question

1. 1Pray Isha, then join Taraweeh intending Qiyam Ramadan.
2. 2Pray two rakahs at a time with measured recitation.
3. 3Rest every four rakahs with glorification and dua.
4. 4Stay until the imam finishes Witr - the full night is recorded for you.

The method

Pray two rakahs at a time with calm recitation, resting briefly every four - glorifying Allah in the pause (the Taraweeh dua on our dua pages). Most mosques complete twenty with Witr; pray what your mosque prays and stay till the imam finishes - you are recorded as praying the whole night.

Women and travelers may pray at home in the same 2-by-2 pattern; completing the Quran in Taraweeh is recommended, not required.

Eight or twenty - the honest answer

The Prophet prayed eleven at night including Witr (Bukhari/Muslim); Umar gathered the companions behind one imam for twenty plus Witr, and the companions agreed - which is why most mosques and all four schools’ majorities pray twenty.

Both numbers are established practice: eight follows the Prophet’s personal night count, twenty follows the companions’ consensus under Umar. Never quarrel over it - pray with your local mosque and follow qualified scholars.