How Many Rakats Do You Perform for Taraweeh Prayers?

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Plus, a simple step-by-step guide for how to perform taraweeh

Co-authored by Belal Elkadri and Amber Crain

Last Updated: March 2, 2026 Fact Checked

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Number of Rakats

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Performing Taraweeh Prayers

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Benefits

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Taraweeh are voluntary nightly prayers performed during Ramadan, and there’s a lot of confusion around how to do them properly. If you want to learn how many rakats are needed for taraweeh prayers, look no further. Below, with the help of wikiHow’s Islam expert, we’ll cover how many rakats to perform for taraweeh, how to perform them, and the benefits of doing so.

How many rakats do you pray for taraweeh?

Most Islamic scholars recommend performing 20 rakats for taraweeh. However, taraweeh is a voluntary prayer, so it’s flexible. Others suggest performing 8 or 10 rakats; all of these numbers are valid and acceptable. When it comes to taraweeh, quality actually matters more than quantity.

Section 1 of 4:

Number of Rakats for Taraweeh Prayer

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Most Islamic scholars suggest 20 rakats, but it’s flexible. Praying 20 rakats is the traditional suggestion for taraweeh, while other schools of thought suggest 8 or 10. All of these numbers are acceptable! Taraweeh is a voluntary prayer, which gives you flexibility to choose. Islam education expert Belal Elkadri says that taraweeh is prayed in sets of two rakats each, and you can choose any even number of rakats you have the time and energy for.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Belal Elkadri
Islam Education Expert

Expert Interview}
- The quality of your taraweeh prayer matters a lot more than the quantity. The most important thing is to perform your prayers with focus and sincerity.^{[2]
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- The suggestion of 20 rakats has been narrated by all four Sunni schools of fiqh, which is why it’s the most traditional option.^{[3]
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Meet the wikiHow Expert

Belal Elkadri is an Islamic education expert and motivational speaker based in Detroit, Michigan. He has worked in the non-profit space for over 10 years.

Section 2 of 4:

How to Pray the Taraweeh Prayer

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The taraweeh prayer is a voluntary nightly prayer performed during Ramadan. Taraweeh is prayed after the obligatory Isha prayer and before Witr. As you perform your prayers, remember to be sincere and have faith that Allah will reward you. Here’s a simple breakdown of what to do:
- Begin with the 4 rakats of Fardh and 2 rakats Sunnah of Isha.
- Set your intention for your taraweeh prayer.
- Pray the first 4 rakats of taraweeh (2 rakats at a time).
- Take a short break (optional after each set of 4 rakats).
- Pray another 4 rakats of taraweeh.
- Take a short break (optional).
- Stop here for a total of 8 rakats. Or: keep going, 2 rakats at a time, until you hit 20.
- End with the nightly Witr prayer.^{[4]
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What to say in each rakat Elkadri says it’s fine to pray alone or with a congregation.^{[5]
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Belal Elkadri
Islam Education Expert

Expert Interview} If you’re praying with a congregation, the Imam will recite aloud, and you’ll follow along. If you’re praying at home, you can recite from memory or read from the Quran. For each rakat, you will:
- Recite Surah Al-Fatiha.
- Recite another surah or any verses you want from the Quran.
- Complete the rakat as usual.^{[6]
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Section 3 of 4:

Benefits of Taraweeh Prayers

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The holy month of Ramadan is a very special time, and taraweeh prayers give you a chance to deepen your spiritual connection with Allah. While the most important thing is to offer praise to Allah with prayers, the blessings you receive are multiplied during Ramadan. That means the rewards for performing taraweeh can be significant.^{[7]
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Research source} The main benefits include:
- Attaining forgiveness for your sins.
- Strengthening your connection with the Quran.
- Deepening your relationship with Allah.
- Getting a moderate amount of gentle exercise.
- Strengthening community bonds (if praying in a congregation).
- Building spiritual discipline.
- Increasing Taqwa.^{[8]
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