Which is better in performing the Ramadan nights: to increase bowing and prostrating or to increase reciting the Quran, and if an urgent necessity arises that prevents one from attending the mosque for the Tarawih prayer on the twenty-seventh night, can a person increase their recitation of the Quran and still receive the reward for performing that night?

The night prayer of Ramadan (Qiyam Ramadan) is legislated by scholarly consensus. The best way to perform it is by following the Sunnah of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, with eleven rak'ahs, though increasing beyond this number is permissible. Prolonging the recitation and reducing the number of rak'ahs is better, but if that becomes difficult for people, increasing the number of rak'ahs is permissible.

The twenty-seventh night is one of the most hoped-for nights for Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Decree). Whoever is unable to attend the mosque should strive to pray individually, as congregational prayer is not a condition for Qiyam Ramadan. Whoever is unable to pray standing may pray sitting, and he will receive half the reward of one who prays standing. Reciting the Qur'an is a righteous and rewarding act, but it is not considered Qiyam al-Layl (night vigil prayer); Qiyam, in this context, refers to prayer.