The reward for establishing night prayers in Ramadhaan with sincere faith & hope
Upon the authority of Abu Huraira (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) would encourage – and not order as an obligation – to establish the night prayer in Ramadhaan. He would say, Whosoever stood [for the night prayer] in Ramadhaan with sincere faith and hoping for the reward, his previous sins will be forgiven. [1]
Meaning of words
‘And not order as an obligation’ i.e. his command is a recommendation and encouragement and not a form of obligation.
Benefits
1. To stand in night prayer throughout Ramadhaan is from the best voluntary acts of worship which brings a slave closer to his Lord in this blessed month.
2. The meaning of ‘to stand in prayer in Ramadhaan’ is to stand in prayer at night as much as is easy upon a person. This can be done privately in ones house or in congregation in the Masjid.
3. To pray the night prayer in congregation is better [than praying alone in ones house]; this was the action of the prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam). He did not however, continue upon this action [of praying the taraaweeh in congregation] because he feared it would be made obligatory upon his people.
Also, due to the hadeeth of Abu Dharr (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said, whomsoever stood in prayer with the imaam until he left, it will be written for him as if he has prayed the whole night. [2]
4. The meaning of ‘the previous sins being forgiven’ is restricted to the minor sins. This is shown by other Ahadeeth. Some of the scholars held the view that both the minor and major sins are forgiven, however the first opinion is stronger and more correct when combining all the evidences together.[3]
Footnotes
[1] Narrated by Abu Huraira; Collected by Al-Bukhaaree & Muslim.
[2] Narrated by Abu Dharr; Collected by At-Tirmidhi & Others.
[3] The expiation and forgiving of sins due to other good actions is restricted to the minor sins. The evidence for this is the saying of Allaah, {If you avoid the great sins which you are forbidden to do, We shall remit from you your (small) sins…} [04:31]
The major sins require specific repentance (taubah).
Reference: http://www.haddady.com/ra_page_views.php?id=313&page=19&main=7