Riyad as-Salihin · Chapter 213

The Excellence of Optional (Tawawih) Prayer during Ramadan

باب استحباب قيام رمضان وهو التراويح‏:‏

This short chapter turns to the special night prayer of Ramadan, often called Tarawih. It is voluntary worship offered during the nights of the fasting month, a way of filling those nights with devotion.

Both hadith carry the same promise: standing in prayer through Ramadan, done sincerely and in hope of Allah's reward, leads to forgiveness of past sins. The second adds that the Prophet encouraged this without making it a binding duty, keeping it a gift rather than a burden.

Hadith 1187

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه، أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ ‏ "‏من قام رمضان إيمانًا واحتسابًا غفر له ما تقدم من ذنبه‏" ‏‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏ ‏.‏

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "He who observes optional prayer (Tarawih prayers) throughout Ramadan, out of sincerity of Faith and in the hope of earning reward will have his past sins pardoned." [Al- Bukhari and Muslim].

In plain words

Praying the voluntary night prayer through Ramadan, with sincere faith and hope in Allah's reward, brings forgiveness of one's past sins.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1187 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 197

Hadith 1188

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

وعنه، رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، يرغب في قيام رمضان من غير أن يأمرهم فيه بعزيمة، فيقول‏:‏ ‏ "‏من قام رمضان إيمانًا واحتسابًا غفر له ما تقدم من ذنبه‏" ‏ ‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to urge (the people) to perform (optional Tarawih) prayer at night during the month of Ramadan. He did not order them or make it obligatory on them. He (ﷺ) said, "Whosoever performs (optional Tarawih) prayers at night during the month of Ramadan, with Faith and in the hope of receiving Allah's reward, will have his past sins forgiven." [Muslim].

In plain words

The Prophet warmly encouraged the Ramadan night prayer without forcing it, and tied it to the same reward: sincere worship leads to past sins being forgiven.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1188 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 198