Most-asked question

How many raka'at is taraweeh?

210 fatawa in the archive answer questions on this, from 7 South African Darul Iftas (Ask Imaam, Mufti Online, Ibn Masood, Azaadville, Camperdown, Jamiat KZN and others). Below, each Darul Ifta’s answer is quoted word for word from the opening of one of its fatawa.

Based on the fatawa linked below. Please read the sources and double-check with a Darul Ifta for your situation.

Consult a mufti for your situation. Fatawa SA is a read-only archive and issues no rulings of its own.

What the Darul Iftas say

“Twenty Raka’ats of Tarawih is a Sunna Muakkada, and leaving a Sunna Muakkada without a valid reason is prohibited. Therefore, you cannot perform eight or less than twenty Raka’ats, except for a valid reason in Shariah.”

Camperdown — Can I read 8 rakats taraweeh? · 4 Mar 2024

“Taraweeh is Sunnah Mu’akkadah and holds a higher rank than Nafl Salah, which is of a lower rank. A person performing a higher-ranking Salah cannot perform it behind a person performing a lower-ranking Salah. Thus, in the above case, the Taraweeh Salah will not be valid.”

Azaadville — Joining Qiyaamul-Layl With The Intention Of Taraweeh · 18 Feb 2026

“It is Makrooh (disliked) to have two or more Jamaats of Taraweeh in one Musjid.i In the enquired situation, the second Jamaat should not take place within the actual boundary of the Musjid.”

Ask Imaam — Is a second Jamaat of Taraweeh Salaah permissible? · 23 Mar 2025

“It is Sunnah to perform the Taraweeh salaah in sets of two rakaats. If one performed four rakaats or six rakaats and he had sat for tashahhud after every two rakaats, the salaah will be valid and sajdah sahw will not be waajib, though intentionally performing the Taraweeh salaah in this manner is against the Sunnah.”

Mufti Online — Performing Taraaweeh Salaah in Sets of Four or Six · 2 Sep 2012

Quotes are the opening words of each answer as published; the full answer, its conditions and references are on the fatwa page. Answers depend on the exact details of each question.

Read the fatawa

  1. ʿUmrah or TaraweehCamperdown · 26 Feb 2026
  2. Women Performing The Taraweeh Salaah In JamaatAzaadville · 19 Feb 2026
  3. Questions from a high school student regarding the Hadith and TaraweehMufti Online · 23 Nov 2025
  4. Taraweeh In The Haramain ShareefainIbn Masood · 10 Jul 2025
  5. Is a second Jamaat of Taraweeh Salaah permissible?Ask Imaam · 23 Mar 2025
  6. Performing Witr Salaah after 10 Rakaats of Taraweeh in the HaramJamiat KZN · 1 Mar 2025
  7. Is it permissible to perform Qadha of the Taraweeh Salaah the next day in congregation?DU Zakariyya
  8. What is the status of reading this specific dua after every four rakaat of tarawih?Camperdown · 10 Mar 2025
  9. Joining Qiyaamul-Layl With The Intention Of TaraweehAzaadville · 18 Feb 2026
  10. Musallee looking inside the Quraan during Taraweeh and correcting the ImaamMufti Online · 19 Feb 2024
  11. Taraweeh for femalesIbn Masood · 12 Mar 2024
  12. I would like to ask 2 questions: 1) Can the qur'aan be physically held to recite suraahs in Taraweeh? 2) Can a female perform I'tiqaaf?Ask Imaam · 12 Mar 2025
  13. One intention for twenty Rakaats Taraweeh SalaahJamiat KZN · 20 Apr 2021
  14. Can I read 8 rakats taraweeh?Camperdown · 4 Mar 2024
  15. Performing Taraaweeh Salaah in Sets of Four or SixMufti Online · 2 Sep 2012

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