A Gate in Paradise Called Ar-Rayyaan

The holy month of Ramadan is a time of sacrifice, purification,
worship, charity and forgiveness, all to bring us closer to our
Creator.
There are so many blessings and benefits to fasting in Ramadan. Some
are physical, some are spiritual, and some relate purely to our
aakhirah.
Among these blessings is the right to enter through Bab Ar-Rayyaan:
Narrated Sahl (ra) : The Prophet (sws – peace be upon him) said,
"Indeed, there is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Rayaan . On the Day of
Resurrection, those who fasted will enter it and none except them will
enter. It will be said, 'Where are those who used to fast?' They will
arise and none except them will enter it. After their entry, the gate
will be closed and none will enter it."
[Sahih Bukhari, Volume 3,Book 31, Number 120]
Many Muslims have heardthis hadith, but most don't know the meaning of
this name, "Ar-Rayyaan" . In fact I was at the masjid recently for a
Ramadan class and I asked the Imam this question and he did not know.
So when I got home I looked it up: the linguistic meaning of
Ar-Rayyaan is something that is well-watered, and therefore lush,
succulent and beautiful…
Doesn't it sound lovely? I imagine it surrounded bywater, maybe a
river, stream, or a waterfall… A tall and shining gate, beautifully
decorated, silver or golden… Allah knows best.
I want to walk through that gate, and I want the same for my daughter
Salma. At this moment, I want that more than anything else I can
imagine… if I achieve that, then I will have succeeded in life.
Fasting is a Key
Why should there be a gateway to Jannah only for those who fast? What
is so special about fastingfor only month every year, as opposed to
praying every day, or making the great effort of Hajj, or giving one's
hard-earned money in charity, or any other important Islamic deed?
Actually we know from various saheeh hadeeth (authentic narrations of
the Prophet) that there are many gates to Jannah. Some will reward
people who perform specific actions, and according to the Prophet
(sws), certain individuals willed be called to all the gates, and may
enter from whichever they choose. SubhanAllah. This is a fascinating
subject in its own right. However, Bab Ar-Rayyaan has been mentioned
quite prominently in the narrations. It is clearly an important and
privilegedgate.
Why is that?
Fasting is designed to putus into a state of hyper-awareness of Allah.
Hasanal-Basri said,
"By Allah, in the last twenty years, I have not said a word or taken
something with my hand or refrained to take something with my hand or
stepped forth or stepped back, except thatI have thought before I have
done any action, 'Does Allah love this action? Is Allah pleased with
this action?'"
This is how we should be when fasting. The fast is a highly personal
act of worship between the servant and the Creator. It's an invisible
act. Whenyou pray or perform tawaaf, you can be seen by others, so
there is always the risk of one's intention being tainted by the
desire to be seen or admired. However, when we are fasting, no one can
look at us and know that we are fasting. Even in Ramadan,a person
could eat or drink secretly. It is an honor system. That is why Allah
said in a hadithqudsi, "Fasting is for Me and I reward it."
(al-Bukhari)
Another truth is that fasting is difficult. It is more arduous than
salat, or giving sadaqah. When done properly, fasting can be very
hard, especially in summer or in hot climates. For me personally,
fasting at the height of summer is the most punishing physical
experience I go through, particularly on the days when I have martial
arts classes scheduled.
The greatest mistake would be to think that fasting is only about
hunger, thirst and abstinence. It seems to me that fasting is a
physical experience that opens the doorway to a spiritual state of
being. The hardship of fasting isa key that unlocks a tremendous
reservoir of strength, and that plunges one into a state of humility,
and an extreme awareness of one's actions before Allah.
That's ultimately what fasting is about. It is about being conscious
of Allah, sacrificing for Him, being humbled before Him, growing
closer to Him, and pleasing Him.
Fasting is a key that opens a door. And the door is called Ar-Rayyaan.
May Allah make us amongthose who enter throughAr-Rayyaan.