Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly:
Allaah has enjoined upon the Muslims fasting the month of
Ramadaan, and He has promised a great reward to those who fast. Because the
virtue of fasting is so great, Allaah 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 Ramadaan are many. For example,
that which Allaah 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 (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) 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 Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
‘Whoever fasts Ramadaan out of faith and seeking reward, his previous sins
will be forgiven.’” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, al-Eemaan, 37).
It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with
him) said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) 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 Allaah 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-Bukhaari, 1771)
Secondly:
It is known that Paradise has many gates, because Allaah 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.” (Narrated by
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 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.” (Narrated by 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.”
(Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3035; Muslim 1793)
We ask Allaah to make us among those who will enter Paradise.
May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad.