Medical benefits OF Taraweeh

Ramadan is the month of blessing for every Muslim, even children, they await Ramadan; Family members gather around a dining table to break-fast (iftar), they do a lot of family visits, they decorate their houses with colorful lanterns, they share in preparing meals and they go to Masjid to attend Taraweeh prayers.
What are Taraweh’s Prayers?
Taraweeh or night prayer -means take rest as it is basically derived from the word (Rauh), and refers to the time taken to rest between voluntary prayers, it is a Sunnah act; i.e. recommended, not compulsory, it is performed after Ishaa prayer.
In the authentic hadeeth, Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) led prayers with his companions in Ramadan for the first and the second night of Ramadan and did not come out to pray in the third or fourth day, when the companions asked, he responded that he fears it becomes an obligatory prayer.
Taraweeh is prayed in 2 rak’ahs (lat east) till more than 20 rak’ahs, could be individually prayed or in the congregation, at home or masjid, it is preferred to recite juzu’ of the Quran daily, to complete the Quran with the Imam by the end of Ramadan.
It is an opportunity for Muslims to listen to proper Quran reading and to comprehend the meaning of Allah’s words that guide them throughout their lives. Women and kids participate in such congregational prayers, listen to the Quran, and supplicate to Allah with the Imam when he concludes the prayer.

Significance of Taraweeh prayers

1. Islam encourages the unity of Muslims in every Ibadah, in prayers, in hajj, and in fasting Ramadan, so the congregation of Muslims in Taraweeh is a continuation of the weekly Jumaa prayers, where Muslims meet together conforming to Allah’s orders.
2. Performing two kinds of religious acts ( ibadah) in Ramadan, day fasting and night prayers, thus achieving the utmost reward in the holy month.
3. Congregational prayer’s reward exceeds that of the individual prayers by twenty-seven times, in addition, it encourages Muslims to pray regularly in the masjid, not only in Ramadan.
4. Muslims accustom themselves to masjid morals as they speak and react quietly, they do not supersede the Imam, they keep their surrounding environment clean, they abstain from personal conflicts and they gain the reward of walking into the masjid.
5. Spending Ramadan night in a religious act, such as night prayers or Qeyam is considered one of the best acts Muslims could do.
6. Listening to the Quran from a proper scholar gives a chance to Muslims to stay attentive to the pronunciation of Quran letters and to ponder Allah’s words, thus increasing their faith and strengthening their relationship with Allah, the creator.
7. Some mosques hold religious sessions between Rak’as, they could interpret some verses of the Quran, answer Muslim concerns (fatwa), or address any common dilemma from the Islamic perspective thus Muslims get the most benefit from attending such sessions.
8. When a Muslim concludes the prayer with the Imam, he gets the reward of Qeyam the whole night in Ramadan, so he feels serenity, self-satisfaction,n and pleasure as he abides by what Allah has ordered.

Physical virtues of Taraweeh prayers

• Praying in general increases body vitality, and energy and reduces laziness.
• After breakfast, the stomach becomes full after a whole day of fasting, so praying helps in the easy digestion of food.
• Praying pillars (bowing, prostrating, standing up straight) entail movement of every part of the body, every joint thus helping in body activeness.
• Praying enhances the psychological aspects of Muslims, as when the relationship with Allah strengthens, Muslims feel relieved.
• Praying reduces tension and depression
• Praying increases the burning rate of calories, especially after break-fasting
• Regulates body metabolism, as blood circulates easily in the veins due to the regular movement of body parts
• Scientists proved the importance of prostrating on earth as it removes the electromagnetic charge when the forehead touches the earth.
• People nowadays search for health clubs and gym places to practice fitness or lose weight, though if they keep on praying, they will probably lose weight, increase their body fitness, and strengthen their stomach muscles as the movement of body parts diminishes fats.
• Diabetic patients need to practice prayers after breakfast, as they suffer from a high level of blood sugar, especially after meals.
• Praying keeps a straight body posture for longer periods, as Muslims stand straight in Prayers for almost a quarter of an hour in one Rak’ah, this period is sufficient to widen his chest muscles and facilitate normal breathing.
• Ablution and praying help keep Muslims clean all day, washing hands, face, and legs could not be performed five times daily unless by a Muslim.
So, Ramadan is a win-win opportunity for Muslims to grasp, physically, emotionally, and psychologically, and above all, obedience and submission to the creator.
Wish you a blessed Ramadan.