Tarawih at Home or in the Masjid

Q: Where is the best place to pray tarawih? At home or in the masjid?

A: It is more virtuous to perform tarawih in the masjid rather than at home (which is permissible). This preference is based on the fact that the Prophet (peace be upon him) led the people in tarawih for three consecutive nights, as narrated by ʿĀ’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her), and on another occasion, for three separate nights, as reported by Abū Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him).

Additionally, the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated, “Whoever prays with the Imam until he finishes, it will be recorded for him as if he prayed the entire night.” (Narrated by Ahmad and Tirmidhi.)

During his lifetime, the companions performed tarawih in the masjid individually or in small groups, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not object to this practice. However, he did not continue leading it regularly out of fear that it might become obligatory. After his passing, this concern was no longer valid and so ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb (may Allah be pleased with him) gathered the people to pray behind Ubayy ibn Kaʿb, a practice that the companions did not dispute and later generations upheld.

Source: Sharh al-Muntaha & Kashshaf al-Qina