by Shaykh 'Abdillah ibn Saalih Al- Fawzaan
from: Ahadeeth As- Siyaam: Ahkaam wal Adaab (pg. 141-143)
Abu Hurairah (radi-Allaahu 'anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allaah (sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) said:
"Whoever performs the night prayer on the night of Al-Qadr with Eemaan (firm belief) and seeking reward will have all his past sins forgiven." - Al-Bukhaaree (4/2550) and Muslim (759).
This hadeeth is evidence for the virtue of the night of Al-Qadr as well as performing qiyaam (night prayer) during it. And it indicates that it is a grand night, which Allaah has honored and made better than a thousand months, with regard to its blessing and the blessings found in the righteous deeds that are performed in it. Thus it is better than the worship of a thousand months and that is equivalent to eighty-three years and four months. Due to this, whoever performs qiyaam (night prayer) with true faith and while seeking reward in it, will be forgiven his past sins.
