Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Whoever prayed at night the whole month of Ramadan out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven." Ibn Shihab (a sub-narrator) said, "Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) died and the people continued observing that (i.e. Nawafil offered individually, not in congregation), and it remained as it was during the Caliphate of Abu Bakr and in the early days of 'Umar's Caliphate."
The Excellence of Night Prayer in Ramadan
This noble hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari (2009) establishes the immense virtue of performing Qiyam al-Layl during Ramadan. The Prophet (ﷺ) guarantees complete forgiveness of past sins for one who prays at night throughout Ramadan with two essential conditions: sincere faith (iman) and seeking divine reward (ihtisab).
Conditions for Acceptance
The scholars emphasize that "sincere Faith" requires proper belief in Allah and His commandments, while "hoping for reward" means performing the prayer solely for Allah's pleasure without ostentation or worldly motives. These conditions ensure the prayer's spiritual validity.
Historical Context of Congregational Prayer
Ibn Shihab's narration clarifies that during the Prophet's time and the caliphates of Abu Bakr and early Umar, Muslims performed Taraweeh individually at home. This historical context is crucial for understanding the subsequent development of congregational Taraweeh prayers in mosques.
Scholarly Commentary on Forgiveness
Classical commentators like Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani explain that "previous sins" refers to minor sins, as major sins require specific repentance. The comprehensive nature of this forgiveness demonstrates Allah's immense mercy during Ramadan, encouraging believers to increase their night worship.
Spiritual Significance
This hadith from "Praying at Night in Ramadaan (Taraweeh)" highlights Ramadan as a season for spiritual renewal. The night prayers represent the pinnacle of voluntary worship, combining physical devotion with spiritual contemplation, ultimately leading to divine forgiveness and purification of the soul.