Hadith Text & Reference

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Whoever prays Qiyam during Ramadan out of faith and in the hope of reward, he will be forgiven his previous sins."

Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i 1602 | Book: The Book of Qiyam Al-Lail (The Night Prayer) and Voluntary Prayers During the Day

Meaning & Significance

This hadith establishes the immense virtue of performing the night prayer (Tahajjud/Qiyam) during the blessed month of Ramadan. The phrase "out of faith" (imanan) indicates the prayer must be performed with correct belief in Allah and sincerity, while "in the hope of reward" (ihtisaban) signifies performing it solely for Allah's pleasure, seeking His divine recompense.

The promised reward is the complete forgiveness of all previous minor sins, demonstrating Allah's boundless mercy. Major sins require specific repentance (tawbah). This combination of faith, sincere intention, and righteous action during Ramadan's sacred nights creates the perfect conditions for spiritual purification.

Juridical Ruling

The majority of scholars consider Qiyam during Ramadan (Tarawih) to be a confirmed Sunnah (Sunnah Mu'akkadah), not obligatory. It is preferably performed in congregation, though individual prayer is also valid. This ruling is derived from the consistent practice of the Prophet (ﷺ) and the Rightly Guided Caliphs.

Spiritual Dimensions

This hadith connects fasting and night prayer as complementary acts of worship. Fasting trains the soul by day, while Qiyam humbles it by night. Together they embody complete devotion, with the night prayer representing a private conversation with the Creator after the public observance of fasting.

The timing is significant - the last third of the night is when Allah descends to the lowest heaven, asking: "Who is asking Me so that I may give him?" Thus, Ramadan nights become opportunities for direct divine response and spiritual elevation.