Allah has enjoined upon the Muslims fasting the month of Ramadan, and He has promised a great reward to those who fast. Because the virtue of fasting is so great, Allah has not specified the reward for it, rather He said – in a hadeeth qudsi –
“… except for fasting, for it is for Me, and I shall reward for it.”
The virtues of the month of Ramadan are many. For example, that which Allah has promised those who fast, namely the gate of al-Rayyaan. This is the name which was narrated in the hadeeth whose authenticity is agreed upon. Sahl (may Allaah be pleased with him) said that the Prophet (pbuh) said:
“In Paradise there is a gate called al-Rayyaan, through which those who used to fast will enter on the Day of Resurrection, and no one but they will enter it. It will be said, ‘Where are those who fasted?’ They will get up, and none will enter it but them. When they have entered, it will be locked, and no one else will enter.” (al-Bukhaari, 1763; Muslim, 1947).
Among the ahaadeeth which explain the reward for fasting are the following:
It was narrated from Abu Salamah that Abu Hurayrah said: “The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: ‘Whoever fasts Ramadaan out of faith and seeking reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.’” (Al-Bukhaari, al-Eemaan, 37).
It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: ‘Allaah says: “Every deed of the son of Adam is for him, except for fasting; it is for Me and I shall reward for it.” Fasting is a shield and when one of you is fasting he avoid sexual relations with his wife and quarreling. If somebody should fight or quarrel with him, he should say, ‘I am fasting.’ By the One in Whose hand is my soul, the unpleasant smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. The fasting person will have two moments of joy: one when he breaks his fast, and the other when he meets his Lord; then he will be pleased because of his fasting.’”
(Al-Bukhaari, 1771)
It is known that Paradise has many gates, because Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Adn (Eden) Paradise (everlasting Gardens), which they shall enter and (also) those who acted righteously from among their fathers, and their wives, and their offspring. And angels shall enter unto them from every gate.”
[al-Ra’d 13:23]
“And those who kept their duty to their Lord (Al-Muttaqoon – the pious) will be led to Paradise in groups till when they reach it, and its gates will be opened (before their arrival for their reception) and its keepers will say: Salaamun ‘Alaykum (peace be upon you)! You have done well, so enter here to abide therein.”
[al-Zumar 39:73]
In the saheeh ahaadeeth it says that there are eight gates:
It was narrated from Sahl ibn Sa’d (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “In Paradise there are eight gates, among which is a gate called al-Rayyaan, which none will enter but those who fast.” (Al-Bukhaari, 3017).
It was narrated from ‘Ubaadah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever bears witness that there is no god but Allaah alone, with no partner or associate, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger, and that ‘Eesa (Jesus) is the slave of Allaah and His Messenger, and a word which Allaah bestowed on Maryam and a spirit created by Him (cf. al-Nisa’ 4:171), and that Paradise is true and Hell is true, will have the right to be admitted by Allaah to Paradise through whichever of the eight gates he wishes, because of his good deeds.” ( Al-Bukhaari, 3180; Muslim, 41)
One of the bounties that Allaah has bestowed upon this ummah is that He opens all the gates of Paradise during the month of Ramadaan, not just one gate. Whoever says that there is a gate in Paradise called Baab al-Radwaan has to produce evidence for that.
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “When Ramadaan begins, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained up.”
(Al-Bukhaari, 3035; Muslim 1793)
And Allah knows best.
