Gates of Heaven Open, Hell Closed, Devils Chained

📖 Sahih al-Bukhari 1899
Narrated Abu Huraira: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of the Heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained.”

Who Are These “Devils” That Are Chained?

The word “devils” (shayāṭīn) in this hadith can refer to:

🔸 The evil jinn who are the worst followers of Iblīs.
🔸 They are the ones who whisper evil, tempt, and mislead people.
🔸 These devils act like agents of Iblīs — spreading his plan.

When these evil jinn are chained in Ramadan:

➡️ Iblīs loses his helpers.
➡️ Alone, he cannot easily mislead every person.
➡️ That’s why many people feel more spiritual, more peaceful, and closer to Allah during Ramadan.

---

But Why Do People Still Sin in Ramadan?

Because:

1. The whispers before Ramadan can still affect the soul.
2. A person’s own nafs (desires) is still active.
3. Not all shayāṭīn are chained, some scholars say only the worst ones (al-maradah).
4. People already following evil may not feel the impact.

So yes – you can still sin, but the external Satanic pressure is greatly reduced.

What Does “Chained” Really Mean?

1. Literal meaning:
   Allah restrains the rebellious shayāṭīn from roaming freely.

2. Spiritual meaning:
   The chaining reflects how Allah helps you resist Satan’s traps through worship and fasting.

---

What About Iblīs Himself?

The hadith doesn’t mention Iblīs by name.

1. Iblīs is the chief devil, not one of his followers.
2. He is allowed to live and operate until the Day of Judgment.
3. But when his evil army is chained, his effect is limited – because he works through them.

Without his devils, Iblīs becomes weaker and more isolated in Ramadan.

Quranic Proofs That Iblīs Still Has Time:

📖Quran 7:14–15
“(Iblīs) said, ‘My Lord, give me respite until the Day they are resurrected.’
(Allah) said, ‘You are of those given respite.’”

📖Quran 17:62
“(Iblīs said:) If You delay me until the Day of Resurrection, I will surely destroy his descendants, except a few.”

These verses prove that Iblīs remains active, but Ramadan weakens his system.

Related article:

Adam, Satan, Free Will and Divine Justice