Laravel 5.x Custom Validation Rules

password_validator.php

// Remember to include the required classes, e.g. Hash, Validator, Redirect, User model

// define validation rules, 'password' will be our custom rule
$rules = [
  'current_password' => 'required|password',
  'password'         => 'required|confirmed|min:6',
];

// custom rule for 'password'
Validator::extend('password', function( $attribute, $value, $parameters ) {
  // compare the entered password with what the database has, e.g. validates the current password
  return Hash::check( $value, Auth::user()->password );
});

// custom message if validation for password fails
$messages = [ 'password' => 'Your current password does not match our records.' ];

// validate input with rules, adding in custom messages
$validation = Validator::make( Input::all(), $rules, $messages );

// if validation fails, redirect back to previous page
if ( $validation->fails() ) {
  return Redirect::back()->withInput()->withErrors( $validation->messages() );
}

// Update the password
User::find( Auth::user()->id )->update( [
  'password' => Hash::make( Input::get('password') )
] );

// redirect with success message
return Redirect::back()->with( ['message' => 'Your password was updated successfully.'] );