The Month of Mercy, Heaven, and Self-Reflection

Portals of Heaven are opened

Dear Islamic brothers! In Ramadan the gates of mercy and Heaven are opened, those of Hell are closed and the devils are chained. Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَنْهُ has narrated that the Prophet of Rahmah, the Intercessor of Ummah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم  would say to his companions رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَنْهُم, ‘The month of Ramadan has arrived; it is a very blessed month. Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ has commanded you to fast in it. In this month, the gates of the skies are opened and those of Hell are closed. Satans are kept in chains. In this month there is a blessed night called Laila-tul-Qadr which is greater than a thousand months. The person who is deprived of its blessings is (completely) deprived.’ (Sunan Nasai, pp. 129, vol. 4)

Devils tied in chains

Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَنْهُ has narrated that the Prophet of Rahmah, the Intercessor of Ummah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has stated, ‘In Ramadan the gates of the skies are opened.’ (Sahih Bukhari, pp. 626, vol. 1, Hadees 1899)

Another narration says that the gates of Paradise are opened and those of Hell are closed (and) the devils are kept in chains. Another narration says that the gates of mercy are opened. (Sahih Muslim, pp. 543, Hadees 1079)

Why are sins committed despite Satan being in chains?

A renowned exegetist of the Quran Shaykh Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه has stated, ‘In Ramadan, the gates of the skies are opened, through which special bounties of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ  descend upon the earth. The gates of the Heaven are also opened by which the maidens of Heaven become aware that Ramadan has arrived in the world, and so they pray for the people of the world. Further, it is also said that no one is punished in his grave in Ramadan. It implies that the gates of Hell are closed in Ramadan, due to which the heat of Hell does not reach the graves of sinners and even unbelievers. Satan, along with his offspring, is chained. If anyone commits sins in this month he does so due to the evil of his Nafs, not because of Satan.’ (Mirat-ul-Manajih, pp. 133, vol. 3)

Sins are reduced to some extent

Dear Islamic brothers! It is generally observed that the Muslims get more interested in worship in Ramadan compared to other months. It becomes easier to perform righteous deeds and a reduction in sins takes place, though to some extent.

As soon as Satan is released

As soon as Ramadan ends and Satan is released, it seems as if a storm of sins has occurred. Too many sins are committed on Eid day that even the cinemas that are not filled the whole year round become full on Eid day. Fairs that are not seen all year round are held on Eid. It seems Satan is extremely annoyed as a result of being held in captivity a whole month and wants to take revenge within the day of Eid. All amusement parks fill with men and immodest women, theatres are always packed out on Eid, new films and dramas are released just for Eid, and hence countless Muslims become toys in the hands of Satan. However, there are some fortunate Muslims who are not heedless of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ and turn down the misleading invitation of Satan.

Mercy on fire worshipper

There was a fire worshipper who lived in Bukhara. One day he was walking through a Muslim marketplace along with his son. His son began to eat something publicly. Seeing his son eating, he slapped him and scolded him saying, ‘Aren’t you ashamed of eating in the Muslims’ market in Ramadan?’ His son replied, ‘(But) Father, you also eat in Ramadan, don’t you?’ The father replied, ‘I don’t eat in front of the Muslims, I eat at home where they can’t see me, I don’t desecrate this holy month.’

After some time, this fire worshipper died. Someone had a dream in which he saw the deceased stroll in Heaven. Amazed, the dreaming person asked, ‘You were a fire worshipper; how did you get into Heaven?’ He replied, ‘You are right; I was a fire worshipper but at the time of death, Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ blessed me with faith for honouring Ramadan and granted me Heaven after death.’ (Nuzha-tul-Majalis, pp. 217, vol. 1)

Penalty for eating publicly in Ramadan

Dear Islamic brothers! Did you see? Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ not only blessed a fire worshipper with faith for honouring Ramadan but also granted him the eternal blessings of Heaven. All those heedless brothers who don’t honour Ramadan at all despite being Muslims should learn some lesson from this parable. They do not fast, dare to smoke cigarettes and chew Pan (betel) in front of fasting Muslims and some are so shameless that they even eat and drink publicly.

Remember! The honourable scholars of Islam رَحِمَهُمُ الـلّٰـهُ تَـعَالٰی have stated, ‘If anyone eats or drinks deliberately in public during the day in Ramadan without a Shar’i exemption, his punishment is that he will be killed (by the Islamic ruler).’

(Durr-e-Mukhtar ma’ Rad-ul-Muhtar, pp. 392, vol. 3)

Are you not going to die?

Dear Islamic brothers! Please ponder! This is the punishment in this world for those who do not fast (this punishment can only be imposed by an Islamic ruler) then how horrific and severe the punishment of the hereafter will be!

O Muslims! Wake up from the sleep of heedlessness! How long will you make merry in this world? When would you realize the great loss of wasting the previous moments of your life in heedlessness? Are you not going to die?

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Remember! A day will certainly come when you will be leaving this world. Death will put an end to all of your luxuries and pleasures. It will make you rest on soil in lieu of your comfortable and cosy mattress. It will take you out of your beautifully decorated rooms full of entertainment devices and lead you to your dark grave, and then, it will be futile to regret. You have a chance now; repent sincerely of your sins and become punctual in your Salah and fasts.

Karlay Taubah Rab ki rahmat hay bari Qabr mayn warnah saza hogi kari

Repent as the mercy of Allah is immense Or else punishment in grave will be intense

Dear Islamic brothers! In order to get rid of sinful life, join the Madani environment of Dawat-e-Islami, a global & non-political movement for the propagation of the Quran and Sunnah. اِنْ شَآءَ اللہ You will succeed in the worldly life as well as in the afterlife. Here is a blessing of Dawat-e-Islami.