Fasting, - Doupht&clear, - * Those who used to fast will be called from thegate of al-Rayyaan

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My husband tells me about the "Gate of Ridwan" of which is opened only during the month of Ramadan. I am told that when this gate is opened, wealth is poured from Allah (SW) through this gate. Can you confirm/clarify this statement and offer guidance for more understanding?
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.

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Fasting, - Doupht&clear, - * Are hasanaat and sayi’aat multiplied at special times and in special places?

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Is it true that sayi’aat (bad deeds) are multiplied in Ramadaan? Is the same true of hasanaat (good deeds)? Is there any evidence to that effect?.
Praise be to Allaah.
Yes, both hasanaat and sayi’aat are multiplied at special times and in special places, but there is a difference between the multiplication of hasanaat and the multiplication of sayi’aat. The multiplication of hasanaat is in both quantity and quality. What is meant by quantity is number, so a good deed is multiplied by ten times the like thereof; and what is meant by quality is that the reward is great and vast. With regard to sayi’aat, it is multiplied in terms of quality only, i.e., the sin is greater and the punishment is more severe. With regard to quantity a bad deed receives one sayi’ah, and it cannot be more than one.
It says inMataalib Uli al-Nuha(2/385):
“Hasanaat and sayi’aat are multiplied in a special place such as Makkah, Madeenah and Bayt al-Maqdis (Jerusalem), and in the mosques; and at special times such as on Fridays, during the sacred months and in Ramadaan. With regard to the multiplication of hasanaat, this is a matter concerning which there is no scholarly difference of opinion. With regard to the multiplication of sayi’aat, this was the view of a number of scholars, following Ibn ‘Abbaas and Ibn Mas’ood… Some scholars said that what Ibn ‘Abbaas and Ibn Mas’ood meant by the view on the multiplication of sayi’aat is that they are multiplied in quality but not in quantity.”
Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “Does fasting bring the Muslim expiation for both minor and major sins? Is the sin of an evil action compounded in Ramadaan?”
He replied: “What is prescribed for the Muslim in Ramadaan and at other times is to strive against his nafs (self) that is inclined towards evil until it becomes tranquil and inclined towards goodness. He must fight against the enemy of Allaah Iblees until he is safe from his evil and his whispers. The Muslim in this world is engaged in a great, ongoing struggle against his nafs, his desires and the Shaytaan. So he has to repent a great deal and pray for forgiveness at all times. But times vary one from another. The month of Ramadaan is the best month of the year, for it is the month of forgiveness, mercy and ransom from the Fire. If the month is special and the place is special, the hasanaat for good deeds are multiplied and the sayi’aat for sins are multiplied. An evil deed done in Ramadaan is more sinful than one done at any other time, just as an act of worship done in Ramadaan brings a greater reward from Allaah than one done at any other time. Because Ramadaan has such a great status, an act of worship done during this month is especially virtuous and its reward is greatly multiplied, and a sin committed during this month is worse and more serious than a sin committed at any other time. So the Muslim has to make the most of this blessed month by doing acts of worship and righteous deeds, and giving up bad deeds, so that Allaah may bless him by accepting his good deeds and helping to remain steadfast in adhering to the truth. But a bad deed receives one sayi’ah like it, and is not multiplied in terms of quantity either in Ramadaan or at other times. But a good deed may be multiplied ten or more times, because Allaah says in Soorat al-An’aam (interpretation of the meaning):
“Whoever brings a good deed (Islamic Monotheism and deeds of obedience to Allaah and His Messenger) shall have ten times the like thereof to his credit, and whoever brings an evil deed (polytheism, disbelief, hypocrisy, and deeds of disobedience to Allaah and His Messenger) shall have only the recompense of the like thereof, and they will not be wronged”
[al-An’aam 6:160]
And there are many similar verses.
Similarly in special places such as the Haramayn [the Two Sanctuaries, i.e., in Makkah and Madeenah] deeds are multiplied greatly in quantity and quality; bad deeds are not multiplied in quantity but they are multiplied in quality when done at special times or in special places, as referred to above. And Allaah is the Source of strength.
FromMajmoo’ Fataawa wa Maqaalaat Mutanawwi’ah, 15/446.
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said inal-Sharh al-Mumti’, 7/262:
Both hasanaat and sayi’aat are multiplied when done in special places and at special times.
Hasanaat (good deeds) are multiplied in quantity and quality; sayi’aat (bad deeds) are multiplied in quality but not in quantity, because Allaah says in Soorat al-An’aam, which was revealed in Makkah, (interpretation of the meaning):
“Whoever brings a good deed (Islamic Monotheism and deeds of obedience to Allaah and His Messenger) shall have ten times the like thereof to his credit, and whoever brings an evil deed (polytheism, disbelief, hypocrisy, and deeds of disobedience to Allaah and His Messenger) shall have only the recompense of the like thereof, and they will not be wronged”
[al-An’aam 6:160]
And He says (interpretation of the meaning):
“… and whoever inclines to evil actions therein [i.e., in al-Masjid al-Haraam in Makkah] or to do wrong (i.e. practise polytheism and leave Islamic Monotheism), him We shall cause to taste from a painful torment”
[al-Hajj 22:25]
But He did not say, We will multiply that to him, rather He said, “We shall cause to taste from a painful torment”. So the way in which sayi’aat done in Makkah or in Madeenah are multiplied is in terms of quality.
And Allaah knows best.

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Fasting, - Doupht&clear, - * Are there any saheeh ahaadeeth which speak ofthe ransoming of the living and the dead during Ramadaan?

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I heard from someone that Allaah ransoms just one of the dead Muslims every night, and that He does not ransom any of the living except on the last night of Ramadaan, when He ransoms the same number as the number of dead whom He ransomed during the month. Is this true?.
Praise be to Allaah.
After researching the matter, we did not find any ahaadeeth which say such a thing.
There are ahaadeeth which say that Allaah ransoms people from the Fire during Ramadaan, and that happens every night.
Some of these ahaadeeth are saheeh (sound), some are da’eef (weak), and some are mawdoo’ (fabricated).
Among the saheeh ahaadeeth which speak of that are the following:
1 – 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: “When the first night of Ramadaan comes, the devils and mischievous jinn are chained up, and the gates of Hell are closed, and none of its gates are opened. The gates of Paradise are opened and none of its gates are closed. And a caller cries out: ‘O seeker of good, proceed; O seeker of evil, desist.’ And Allaah has people whom He frees (from the Fire), and that happens every day.”
Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 682; Ibn Maajah, 1642; classed as hasan by Shaykh al-Albaani inSaheeh al-Jaami’, 759.
2 – It was narrated that Jaabir (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “At every breaking of the fast Allaah has people whom He redeems from the Fire, and that happens every night.”
Narrated by Ahmad, 21698; Ibn Maajah, 1643; classed as saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani inSaheeh Ibn Maajah.
The da’eef (weak) and mawdoo’ (fabricated) ahaadeeth that have been narrated on this topic include the following:
1 – The report narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him), according to which the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “When the first night of Ramadaan comes, Allaah looks at His creation, and if Allaah looks at a person He will never punish him. And every day Allaah has one thousand thousand whom He ransoms from the Fire. On the twenty-ninth night Allaah ransoms a number equivalent to the number whom He has already ransomed during the entire month.”
This is a mawdoo’ hadeeth. SeeDa’eef al-Targheeb, 591 andal-Silsilah al-Da’eefah, 5468.
2 – It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) that he heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “Paradise is scented with incense and adorned throughout the year, in preparation for the beginning of the month of Ramadaan. On the first night of the month of Ramadaan, a wind called al-matheerah comes from beneath the Throne… And on each day of the month of Ramadaan at the time of breaking the fast, Allaah has one thousand thousand whom He ransoms from the Fire, all of whom deserved to go to Hell. And on the last day of the month of Ramadaan, Allaah ransoms on that day a number equivalent to all those whom He ransomed from the beginning of the month to the end.
This is a mawdoo’ hadeeth. SeeDa’eef al-Targheeb, 594.
3 – It was narrated that al-Hasan said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Every night of Ramadaan Allaah has six hundred thousand whom He ransoms from the Fire. And on the last night Allaah ransoms a number equivalent to those whom He has already ransomed.”
This is a da’eef hadeeth. SeeDa’eef al-Targheeb, 598.

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Fasting, - Doupht&clear, - * controlling Urges Through Fasting

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My question is about fasting. But it is not concerning the Holy month Ramadan. I mean fasting when one wants to marry but has not the ability to do this at the moment. I know that in Islam it is prescribed for this purpose, but I do not know what is the right ruling on this. I would like to learn the exact time for iftar and sahur, how many days in the month one should fast, and exactly which day of the week it is supposed to be as well. Please provide me with as many details as you can about that. And Allah knows best. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon all of you.
Praise be to Allaah.
This pure monotheistic religion came to teach people how to control urges so that the Muslim individual who is distinguished by his character and behaviour would not remain a prisoner to his desires like an animal. Islam prescribes rulings, both obligatory and mustahabb (recommended), to protect him against the bad effects of being driven by his desires. Among these rulings is the prescription of fasting for those who cannot find the natural outlet for these desires in marriage, as ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood (may Allaah be pleased with him) narrated, “We were young men with the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and we did not have anything (i.e., we could not afford to get married). The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to us, ‘O young men, whoever among you can afford to get married, then let him do so, for it is more effective in lowering the gaze and guarding chastity. And whoever is not able to do that, then let him fast, for that will be a shield for him.’” (al-Bukhaari, 5066; Muslim, 1400). Fasting reduces the effects that desires have on young people.
Although this ruling is addressed to young men, it may become more essential when there is more temptation and the means and motives for committing evil increase, especially for those who live in societies in which there is a great deal of wanton display and promiscuity. So they should be keen to do this act of worship in order to protect their chastity and religious commitment. As well as fasting, a person may seek help though praying to Allaah to protect his religious commitment and honour, and to make it easy for him to get married, as marriage protects one's chastity. He may also help himself by remembering the reward in Paradise that Allaah has prepared for those who steadfastly obey His commands and guard their chastity, namely al-hoor al-‘iyn (maidens in Paradise).

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