What Is the Gate of ar-Rayyan?

Virtues of Ramadan

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 hadIth 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 ar-Rayyan. This is the name which was narrated in the hadith whose authenticity is agreed upon. Sahl (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “In Paradise there is a gate called al-Rayyan, 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-Bukhari, 1763; Muslim, 1947) 

Reward for fasting

Among the hadiths which explain the reward for fasting are the following: 

• Abu Salamah narrated that Abu Hurayrah said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‘Whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith and seeking reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.’” (Narrated by al-Bukhari, al-Iman, 37) 
• Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‘Allah 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.’” (Narrated by al-Bukhari, 1771) 

Number of the gates of Paradise

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-Muttaqun – 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: Salamun ‘Alaykum (peace be upon you)! You have done well, so enter here to abide therein.” [al-Zumar 39:73]

Gate of Jannah for Fasting

In the sahih hadiths, it says that there are eight gates: 

Sahl ibn Sa’d (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “In Paradise there are eight gates, among which is a gate called ar-Rayyan, which none will enter but those who fast.” (Narrated by al-Bukhari, 3017) 

`Ubadah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever bears witness that there is no god but Allah Alone, with no partner or associate, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger, and that ‘Isa is the slave of Allah and His Messenger, and a word which Allah 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 Allah to Paradise through whichever of the eight gates he wishes, because of his good deeds.” (Narrated by al-Bukhari, 3180; Muslim, 41)                 

The gates of Paradise are open in Ramadan

One of the bounties that Allah has bestowed upon this ummah is that He opens all the gates of Paradise during the month of Ramadan, not just one gate. Whoever says that there is a gate in Paradise called Bab al-Ridwan has to produce evidence for that. 

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “When Ramadan begins, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained up .” (Narrated by al-Bukhari, 3035; Muslim 1793) 

And Allah knows best.