Abu Huraira reported God's messenger as saying, "When the first night of Ramadan comes the devils and the rebellious jinn are chained, the gates of hell are locked and not one of them is opened; the gates of paradise are opened and not one of them is locked, and a crier calls, 'You who desire what is good, come forward, and you who desire evil refrain.' Some are freed from hell by God, and that happens every night." Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it, and Ahmad transmitted it from a man. [i.e. an unspecified person.] Tirmidhi said this is a gharib tradition.
Commentary on the Excellence of Ramadan's Arrival
This noble hadith from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) reveals the profound spiritual transformation that occurs with the advent of Ramadan. The chaining of devils and rebellious jinn signifies divine assistance granted to believers, facilitating their worship and diminishing temptations during this sacred month.
The locking of hell's gates and opening of paradise's gates symbolizes Allah's boundless mercy and the unique opportunity for spiritual elevation. This divine arrangement creates an environment where good deeds are amplified and evil is restrained, allowing believers to focus entirely on devotion and self-purification.
The Nightly Liberation from Hellfire
The tradition's mention of souls being freed from hell every night demonstrates Allah's infinite compassion during Ramadan. This liberation occurs nightly, emphasizing the continuous flow of divine mercy throughout the month, encouraging believers to increase their supplications and righteous deeds.
Scholars note that while the hadith's chain contains some weakness (as indicated by Tirmidhi's classification as gharib), its meaning aligns with numerous other authentic traditions extolling Ramadan's virtues. The core message remains valid: Ramadan represents a unique period of divine grace where barriers to goodness are removed and pathways to salvation are widened.
Practical Implications for the Believer
This tradition should inspire increased devotion, as the spiritual conditions are exceptionally favorable. With satanic influences diminished, believers have greater capacity to overcome base desires and focus on Quranic recitation, night prayers, and charitable acts.
The caller's announcement serves as a perpetual reminder that Ramadan is the season for spiritual commerce. Those seeking goodness should advance eagerly in worship, while those inclined toward evil have every incentive to abstain, given the extraordinary divine assistance available during this blessed month.