Taraweeh: A Conversation with Allah, Not Just an Emotional High

A growing trend has emerged during Ramadan: many Muslims seek out the mosque with the most melodious reciter, prioritising the beauty of the voice over the depth of the message. While it is commendable to beautify one’s recitation of the Qur’an, we must ask ourselves: are we leaving Taraweeh feeling emotionally uplifted, or are we leaving having had a meaningful conversation with Allah (SWT)?

Even the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) loved listening to a beautiful recitation. He once praised Abu Musa al-Ash’ari, saying:
“O Abu Musa! You have been given a voice like the flute of Prophet Dawud.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)

However, reducing Taraweeh to just an emotional experience — focusing only on the melody and not on the message — is an injustice to the conversation Allah (swt) has with us every night in Ramadan.

Taraweeh is more than just a late-night spiritual gathering. It is an opportunity to engage in a deep dialogue with Allah (SWT). Every verse recited should push us to reflect on what our lives should be like versus what they currently are, how our societies should function versus how they currently operate, and how the Ummah should unite and thrive versus the divisions we see today.

Humanity today is drowning in despair — war, injustice, poverty, and moral decay have left people feeling hopeless and disconnected. The pursuit of material gain has overshadowed compassion, and self-interest has replaced collective responsibility. Families are broken, communities are divided, and the world feels more lost than ever.

Yet, the Qur’an provides a blueprint for something better: a world built on mercy, justice, and unity — where human dignity is restored, the vulnerable are protected, and the powerful are held accountable. It calls us to rise above our selfish desires and build a society where iman fuels action, and righteousness becomes the foundation of our personal lives and global systems. The Qur’an is not merely meant to be heard — it is meant to be implemented, from the individual level to a global scale.

Allah repeatedly emphasises in the Qur’an that its purpose is not just recitation, but deep contemplation. Consider these powerful verses:

“Do they not reflect upon the Qur’an, or are there locks upon their hearts?”
(Surah Muhammad 47:24)

“This is a blessed Book which We have revealed to you so that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded.”
(Surah Sad 38:29)

“Then do they not reflect upon the Qur’an? If it had been from any other than Allah, they would have found within it much contradiction.”
(Surah An-Nisa 4:82)

Taraweeh should not be a passive experience. It should act as a mirror, forcing us to reflect on ourselves, our communities, our Ummah and humanity at large — and ask: where is the disconnect between how things are and how they should be? How can we align our lives with the teachings of the Qur’an? What changes must we make — individually and collectively — to bring about true transformation?

Emotion has its place in worship. A beautiful recitation can soften hearts and draw people closer to the Qur’an. However, if we leave Taraweeh feeling spiritually uplifted but unchanged, we have missed the point.

The real purpose of the Qur’an is guidance:

“Indeed, this Qur’an guides to that which is most upright.”
(Surah Al-Isra 17:9)

“And We have certainly made the Qur’an easy for remembrance, so is there anyone who will remember?”
(Surah Al-Qamar 54:17)

Let’s not allow Taraweeh to become just an annual tradition of emotional highs. Instead, let’s make it a month-long transformation process, where each verse inspires us to act, change, and reform — within ourselves and within our societies.

Self-Gratification

“Have you seen the one who takes his own desires as his god? And Allah has left him astray despite having knowledge and sealed his hearing and his heart and put a cover on his sight. Who, then, will guide him after Allah? Will you not then take heed?”
(Surah Al-Jathiyah 45:23)

This verse highlights the danger of letting desires dictate our lives, turning them into a false “lord.” In many Western societies, self-gratification — whether through materialism, pleasure, or status — is often glorified as the path to fulfilment. The Qur’an reminds us that when desires become the driving force, they lead to spiritual blindness.

Respecting Parents

“And We have enjoined upon man [kindness] to his parents. And if they reach old age with you, one of them or both, do not say to them [even] ‘uff’ (a word of annoyance), and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word. And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, ‘My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small.'”
(Surah Al-Isra 17:23-24)

This verse captures a deep sense of emotional and physical responsibility — reminding us to care for our parents with the same tenderness they once showed us. It teaches that even a sigh of frustration (“uff”) is too harsh.

In many Western, secular societies, the cultural norm leans towards individualism, where independence is valued above all else. As a result, caring for elderly parents is often viewed as a burden that disrupts personal freedom and lifestyle. Care homes, while necessary in some cases, are sometimes used as an easy solution to avoid the emotional and physical commitment of elder care. Many elderly people end up feeling abandoned, lonely, and without the close family support they once provided.

The Qur’anic model, on the other hand, frames caring for parents not as a burden but as an honour — a chance to repay their sacrifices with love and humility. It encourages us to see old age not as an inconvenience, but as a stage of life where our parents deserve even more compassion, just as they nurtured us when we were helpless.

Masculinity vs Feminism

“O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing and All-Aware.”
(Surah Al-Hujurat 49:13)

This verse breaks down all human divisions — whether based on gender, race, or social status — and redefines nobility and honour solely by one’s taqwa. It’s not about masculinity or femininity, but about who is most conscious of Allah and acts righteously.

Modern debates often swing between extremes of masculinity and feminism, but the Qur’an’s focus is clear: our worth is determined by our character, not by societal labels.

Gaza, Kashmir, and Occupied Lands

“And what is [the matter] with you that you do not fight in the cause of Allah and [for] the oppressed among men, women, and children who say, ‘Our Lord, take us out of this city of oppressive people and appoint for us from Yourself a protector and appoint for us from Yourself a helper’?
(Surah An-Nisa 4:75)

This verse is a powerful call for Muslim armies to liberate the oppressed — men, women, and children who are trapped under tyranny and injustice. It frames this struggle not just as a moral duty but as a cause “in the path of Allah.”

Modern societies often fuel wars driven by self-interest — whether for economic gain, political power, or control over resources. Powerful nations have repeatedly intervened in conflicts under the guise of promoting democracy or peace, while in reality pursuing oil, strategic influence, or dominance in global markets. The invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, for example, were framed as missions to fight terrorism and liberate people, yet they left behind instability, suffering, and profits for private corporations. Similarly, ongoing conflicts in Africa and the Middle East are frequently sustained by foreign powers backing different sides to secure access to minerals, oil, or trade routes. These wars often ignore the suffering of ordinary people, prioritising the interests of elites and corporations instead — a modern reflection of the Qur’anic warning against oppressors who “spread corruption in the land.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:205).

The Environment

“Indeed, the wasteful are brothers of the devils, and ever has Satan been to his Lord ungrateful.”
(Surah Al-Isra 17:27)

Modern corporations exploit natural resources, pollute the environment, and leave massive carbon footprints without accountability. While individuals are often urged to recycle, reduce waste, and cut emissions, major industries — from fossil fuels to fast fashion — continue to produce the bulk of global pollution.

The Qur’an reminds us that the Earth is a trust from Allah, not something to be plundered for profit:
“It is He who has produced you from the earth and settled you in it, so ask forgiveness of Him and then turn to Him. Indeed, my Lord is near and responsive.”
(Surah Hud 11:61)

The responsibility for environmental care isn’t just personal — it’s collective. The Qur’an’s message calls for systemic change, urging leaders and those in power to uphold justice, including environmental justice.

Economic Inequality

The Qur’an strongly condemns economic injustice and systems built on taking more while giving less.
“Woe to those who give less [than due], who when they take a measure from people, take in full. But when they give by measure or weight to them, they cause loss.”
(Surah Al-Mutaffifin 83:1-3)

In Surah Al-Mutaffifin, Allah condemns those who “take in full” but “cause loss” when giving back. This isn’t just about literal weights and measures — it’s a warning against any system built on exploitation and imbalance.

The fast fashion industry profits from low production costs by underpaying workers, yet sells clothes at full price to consumers — a modern echo of the Qur’anic warning against taking more than one gives. Similarly, big tech companies extract vast amounts of personal data, profiting billions while offering only surface-level services in return, leaving users vulnerable to manipulation.

Islamic economic principles, by contrast, promote fair trade, mutual benefit, and accountability. The Qur’an emphasises:
“And do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly or send it [in bribery] to the rulers in order that [they might aid] you to consume a portion of the wealth of the people in sin, while you know [it is unlawful].”
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:188)

This verse calls for transparency and fairness — principles that challenge corporate greed and exploitation. In an Islamic framework, businesses are encouraged to uplift communities, not exploit them. Profits must come through just means, ensuring workers, consumers, and the environment are treated with dignity.

This verse rebukes those who demand their full share yet short change others — a clear critique of exploitative practices. The Western economic model, driven by profit maximisation and inequality, often reflects this imbalance, where corporations extract more while giving back less. The Qur’an reminds us that such injustice harms not only individuals but society as a whole.

This Ramadan, let’s make Taraweeh more than just a yearly emotional high — more than a beautiful recitation that stirs our hearts but leaves our minds untouched. The Qur’an wasn’t revealed to be admired from a distance or enjoyed as a fleeting moment of spiritual upliftment. It came as guidance — a blueprint for our lives, our societies, and our ummah and the whole of Humanity. Let every verse we hear push us to reflect deeply, to question the state of our hearts and the direction of our lives. Let Taraweeh be a conversation with Allah that challenges us, shapes us, and transforms us — not just during Ramadan, but long after it ends. This year, let’s ensure Taraweeh doesn’t stop at emotion but moves us to action.

Practical Tips to clarify Your Conversation with Allah During Taraweeh (for Non-Arabic Speakers)

• Read the Translation Before Taraweeh:
  Spend a few minutes before prayer reading the translation of the portion being recited. This helps turn the recitation from a melody into a meaningful message.

• Focus on Key Words and Phrases:
  Learn common Qur’anic words like “Rahma” (Mercy), “Adhab” (Punishment), “Taqwa” (God-consciousness), or “Jannah” (Paradise). Recognising these words during the prayer helps you stay connected to the meaning.

• Reflect After the Prayer:
  Take five minutes after Taraweeh to reflect on the main message of that night’s recitation. Ask yourself: How does this apply to my life? What is Allah asking of me?

• Embark on a Journey to Learn Arabic:
  Begin learning Arabic — even gradually — so by next Ramadan, you can engage with the Qur’an directly and have a more profound, personal conversation with Allah.