Can a person pray Tharawih prayers at home ? if so please specify how many rakat's and if there are any special dua's to be recited. Can one apply any creams on the face or body while fasting ?
Taraaweeh prayer is prescribed for men in congregation in the mosque at night in Ramadaan, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever stands with the imams until he finishes, it will be written for him as if he spent the whole night in prayer.” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 806; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Sunan al-Tirmidhi)
Nevertheless, if a man prays Taraaweeh at home, there is no sin on him and his prayer is valid. At times other than Ramadaan, it is prescribed for a man to pray qiyaam al-layl at home.
With regard to women, it is better for them to pray at home, but if a woman wants to pray in the mosque, she should not be prevented from doing so, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Do not prevent your women from coming to the mosques, but their houses are better for them.” (Narrated by Abu Dawood, 567; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani).
And he (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Do not prevent the slave women of Allah from coming to the mosques of Allah.” (Agreed upon; al-Bukhaari, 900; Muslim, 442).
With regard to putting cream on the face and body, there is nothing wrong with that. See Question # 2299.
Allah knows best.
