The Blessed Month: Ramadan's Virtues, Protection, and Mercy

Excellence of dying in Ramadan The fortunate Muslims who die in the blessed month of Ramadan not only remain safe from being questioned and punished in their graves but also deserve Heaven. The honourable scholars (رحمہم اللہ تعالیٰ) have said, ‘The Muslim who dies in this month will go straight into Paradise; as if the gate of Hell is closed for him.’ (Anis-ul-Wā’iẓīn, pp. 25)

Glad tidings of Heaven for three people Sayyidunā ‘Abdullāh Ibn Mas’ūd (رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ) has narrated that the Beloved and Blessed Prophet (صلی اللہ تعالیٰ علیہ واٰلہ وسلم) has stated, ‘If anyone dies at the end of Ramadan he will enter Heaven; if anyone dies at the end of the day of ‘Arafah (9th Zul-Hajj) he will enter Heaven too, if anyone dies whilst donating (in the path of Allah عزوجل) he will also enter Heaven.’ (Ḥilyat-ul-Auliyā, pp. 26, vol. 5, Ḥadīš 6187)

Reward for fasting until Judgement Day Mother of the believers, Sayyidatunā ‘Āishah Ṣiddīqah (رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہا) has narrated that the Noble Prophet (صلی اللہ تعالیٰ علیہ واٰلہ وسلم) has said, ‘If anyone dies in the state of fast, Allah (عزوجل) will bless him with the reward of fasting until the Day of Judgement.’ (Firdaus-bimā’ Šaur-ul-Khaṭṭāb, pp. 504, vol. 3, Ḥadīš 5557)

How fortunate the fasting person is! If he dies in the state of fast, he will be granted the reward of fasting till the Day of Judgement. Sayyidunā Anas Bin Mālik (رَضِیَ اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُ) has said that he heard Rasūlullāh (صَلَّی اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم) say, ‘Ramadan has come to you, the gates of Heaven are opened and those of Hell are closed, and the devils are held in captivity. The person who finds Ramadan but is not forgiven is a deprived one, because if he is not forgiven even in Ramadan, when will he be forgiven then?’ (Majma‘-uz-Zawāid, pp. 345, vol. 3, Ḥadīš 4788)

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. Sayyidunā Abū Ĥurairah (رَضِیَ اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُ) has narrated that the Prophet of Raḥmaḥ, the Intercessor of Ummaḥ (صَلَّی اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم) would say to his companions (رَضِیَ اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُم), ‘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 Laīla-tul-Qadr which is greater than a thousand months. The person who is deprived of its blessings is (completely) deprived.’ (Sunan Nasāī, pp. 129, vol. 4)

Devils tied in chains

Sayyidunā Abū Ĥurairah (رَضِیَ اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُ) has narrated that the Prophet of Raḥmaḥ, the Intercessor of Ummaḥ (صَلَّی اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم) has stated, ‘In Ramadan the gates of the skies are opened.’ (Ṣaḥīḥ Bukhārī, pp. 626, vol. 1, Ḥadīš 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. (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, pp. 543, Ḥadīš 1079)

Why are sins committed despite Satan being in chains?

A renowned exegetist of the Quran Shaykh Muftī Aḥmad Yār Khān (عَلَیْہِ رَحْمَۃُ اللّٰہِ الْحَنّان) 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.’ (Mirāt-ul-Manājīḥ, 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-Majālis, pp. 217, vol. 1)