Taraweeh is the communal evening prayer especially associated with Ramadan.
It is performed after the obligatory night prayer, Isha, and is generally offered in mosques during Ramadan. Worshippers may stand for extended periods while an imam recites long portions of the Quran.
The word is linked to rest or relaxation, reflecting pauses traditionally taken during the prayer. The number of prayer units, or rak'ahs, varies among Muslim legal traditions and communities; 8 and 20 are both widely practiced figures.
Taraweeh is voluntary rather than one of the five obligatory daily prayers. It is also distinct from Tahajjud, a voluntary night prayer that can be performed at other times, including late in the night.