When Ramadan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hellfire are closed, and the devils are chained

Explanation

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informed that when the month of Ramadan comes, three things take place: First: The gates of Paradise are opened, and none of its gates are closed. Second: The gates of Hellfire are closed, and none of its gates are opened. Third: The devils and rebellious jinn are chained, so they cannot reach what they would usually reach outside Ramadan. All of this is to honor this month and encourage people to increase acts of obedience, such as prayer, charity, remembrance of Allah, recitation of the Qur’an, and other good deeds, as well as refraining from sins and misdeeds.

Lessons

• The merit of the month of Ramadan.
• Bearing glad tidings for those who fast in it, that this blessed month is a season of worship and goodness.
• Chaining the devils during Ramadan is an indication of the removal of excuses for the person who is held accountable for religious duties, as if it is being said to him: The devils have been restrained from you, so do not use them as an excuse for neglecting acts of obedience or committing sins.
• Al-Qurtubi said: If it is asked: How do we see evils and sins occurring frequently in Ramadan, if the devils are chained? The answer is that they are only restrained from those who observe the fast with its conditions and adhere to its etiquettes. Or it is the rebellious devils who are chained, not all of them, as mentioned in some narrations. Or it is intended that the evils are reduced during this month, which is a tangible matter; for the occurrence of such acts in Ramadan is less than in other months. This is because the chaining of all the devils does not entail that no evil or sin can occur, as there are other causes for them, such as corrupt souls, bad habits, and human devils.