'The month of Ramadan. He said: "I heard the Messenger of Allah say: In it the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of the Fire are closed, and the devils are chained up, and a caller calls out every night: O doer of good, proceed; O doer of evil, desist!"'
The Book of Fasting - Sunan an-Nasa'i 2107
This blessed hadith from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), narrated in Sunan an-Nasa'i, illuminates the profound spiritual reality of Ramadan. The opening of Paradise's gates signifies divine mercy and acceptance of worship, while the closing of Hell's gates represents Allah's restraint of punishment. The chaining of devils indicates a reduction in evil whispers, facilitating spiritual focus.
Scholarly Commentary
The gates of Paradise being opened refers to the facilitation of righteous deeds and the acceptance of worship during this sacred month. The gates of Hell being closed signifies Allah's mercy in restraining evil and reducing temptations that lead to punishment.
The chaining of devils means their influence is weakened, though not entirely eliminated, as human nature (nafs) remains capable of evil. The nightly caller represents divine encouragement and warning, urging believers toward righteousness and cautioning against transgression throughout this blessed period.
Spiritual Implications
This hadith teaches that Ramadan provides a unique spiritual environment where obstacles to goodness are minimized and pathways to righteousness are widened. The believer should take full advantage of these conditions to increase in worship, seek forgiveness, and draw closer to Allah.
The continuous nightly call serves as a reminder that every moment of Ramadan is precious and that believers should constantly evaluate their actions, increasing in good deeds and abstaining from evil throughout this sacred month.