The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Whoever fasted the month of Ramadan out of sincere Faith (i.e. belief) and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his past sins will be forgiven, and whoever stood for the prayers in the night of Qadr out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven ."
Hadith Text & Reference
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Whoever fasted the month of Ramadan out of sincere Faith (i.e. belief) and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his past sins will be forgiven, and whoever stood for the prayers in the night of Qadr out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven."
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari, Book: Virtues of the Night of Qadr, Hadith: 2014
Commentary on the Two Great Promises
This noble hadith contains two magnificent glad tidings from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). The first concerns the completion of fasting Ramadan, and the second concerns standing in prayer during Laylat al-Qadr. Both are tied to two essential conditions: Iman (sincere faith) and Ihtisab (seeking reward from Allah alone).
Iman means the fast and prayer are performed with correct belief in Allah and His promise, affirming the obligation and truth of these acts of worship. Ihtisab means performing them with a pure intention, seeking only the pleasure and reward of Allah, free from hypocrisy or worldly gain.
The Virtue of Fasting Ramadan
The completion of the Ramadan fast with these conditions earns a comprehensive forgiveness of "all his past sins." The scholars state that this refers to the forgiveness of minor sins. As for major sins, they require specific repentance (Tawbah). This immense reward is an manifestation of Allah's boundless mercy, encouraging the believers to perfect their fast.
The Supreme Virtue of Laylat al-Qadr
The second part of the hadith elevates the status of Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Decree). "Stood for the prayers" (Qama) means engaging in prayer and worship throughout this night. The reward for this single night's worship, performed with Iman and Ihtisab, is equal to the reward for the entire month of fasting: the forgiveness of all previous sins.
This demonstrates the immense value Allah has placed upon this night. It is a night better than a thousand months. A believer's worship in it can outweigh a lifetime of worship, a clear sign of Allah's favor and a means to spiritually compensate for and erase past shortcomings.
Conclusion & Spiritual Lesson
This hadith serves as a powerful motivation for every Muslim. It connects the great act of fasting Ramadan with the great act of seeking Laylat al-Qadr. The promise of total forgiveness is a divine invitation to renew one's spiritual state, purify the soul from past transgressions, and emerge from Ramadan reborn, with a clean slate, by the grace and mercy of Allah, the All-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.