Gates of Paradise to Strive to Enter this Ramadan

The best time to look for Paradise

Ramadan is the best month to look for Allah’s guidance and one of the most easiest ways to attain His forgiveness and paradise. In a Hadith, the Prophet of Allah SWT mentions:

“Whoever fasts during Ramadan with sincere faith and hoping for reward from Allah, all his past sins will be forgiven.”

(Sahih Al-Bukhari)

This is a golden opportunity to find Allah SWT in this month of Taqwa.

Chase for the gates of Paradise

The gates of Paradise are 8, according to the discussion of many scholars. They are:

• Baab As-Salaah (Prayer Gate)
• Baab Al-Jihad (Striver’s Gate)
• Baab As-Sadaqah (Charity Gate)
• Baab Ar-Rayyān (Fasting Gate)
• Baab Al-Hajj (Pilgrim’s Gate)
• Baab Al-Kaazimeen al-Ghaiz (Gate for those who controlled anger)
• Baab Al-Ayman (Gate of the righteous)
• Baab Az-Zikr (Remembrance Gate)

Gate 1: The Prayer Gate (Baab As-Salah)

The Bab As-Salah is for those who are constant or above and beyond in their prayer. They remain steadfast with the obligatory prayer, and strive to do the additional prayers. This group will be given a special door, when they enter into paradise. Want to enter through this door? Ramadan is the best time to start; especially with the high spiritual drive and the special prayer of Tarawih! Enhance your prayers in Ramadan.

Gate 2: The Striver’s Gate (Baab Al-Jihad)

The Bab of Jihad, is for the one who strives in the cause of Allah SWT sincerely and wholeheartedly. While Jihad is one usually associated to physical defense, as per mentioned in the Hadith of the Prophet SAW, Jihad can also look like this:

• Jihad through knowledge

• Jihad through character

• Jihad through controlling the Nafs

• Jihad through action

Ramadan is all about Jihad, so intend all of your striving for Allah SWT, and may this gate be for you!

Gate 3: The Charity Gate (Baab As-Sadaqah)

Bab As-Sadaqah is for the ones who donate for the sake of Allah and do so until their left hand does not know how much their right hand has given. They would give immensely and selflessly to those who need it. Ramadan is the best time to strive for this gate, as per the practice of the Prophet SAW:

The Prophet (ﷺ) was the most generous of all the people, and he used to become more generous in Ramadan when Gabriel met him. Gabriel used to meet him every night during Ramadan to revise the Qur’an with him. Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) then used to be more generous than the fast wind.

(Sahih al-Bukhari 3554)

Gate 4: The Fasting Gate (Baab Ar-Rayyan)

This gate is allocated to those who fast sincerely and regularly, and particularly in the month of Ramadan. Want to get this gate? Strengthen your intentions and enhance your sincerity this Ramadan!

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.”

(Sahih Al-Bukhari 1763)

Gate 5: The Pilgrim’s Gate (Baab Al-Hajj)

Hajj is a pillar of Islam and an obligation once in a lifetime. It is mentioned in numerous Hadiths on the rewards of an accepted Pilgrimage (Hajj Mabroor) and is one of the best deeds after Jihad.

While Hajj may be far-fetched for some of us, take the opportunity to make du’a this Ramadan to be able to land in the blessed lands of the Haram, and be able to do Hajj when Allah wills it. Ramadan is a time where we should be praying for such wishes, in hopes that he may accept our requests, in shaa Allah!

Gate 6: Gate for those who controlled anger (Baab Al-Kaazimeen al-Ghaiz)

In Surah Ali Imran, verse 134, Allah SWT says:

ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ فِي ٱلسَّرَّآءِ وَٱلضَّرَّآءِ وَٱلۡكَٰظِمِينَ ٱلۡغَيۡظَ وَٱلۡعَافِينَ عَنِ ٱلنَّاسِۗ وَٱللَّهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ

Who spend [in the cause of Allah] during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon the people – and Allah loves the doers of good.

The art of restraint is one that requires patience and control. Ramadan teaches restraint to both desires and towards others. If we can train ourselves this Ramadan, and spill it over to what comes after, hopefully the entrance through this gate is easier and possible, ameen!

Gate 7: Gate of the righteous (Baab Al-Ayman)

While this gate is debated upon, and they may be different names for the gate, this gate is reserved for those who are righteous and is considered a special gate, often associated with those who maintained firm faith and absolute trust in Allah. This gate isspecifically designated for righteous believers who will enter without reckoning or punishment (ghair hisab)

Ramadan is the best time to be amongst the righteous as the pillar of the month is indeed Taqwa. Strive for this gate, by increasing your Imaan, conviction and deeds.

Gate 8: Remembrance Gate (Baab Az-Zikr)

This gate is for those who constantly remember Allah (SWT), filling their hearts and tongues with dhikr, are granted entry through this gate.

They are the ones who glorify Him, praise Him, and keep their focus upon Him in every moment of their daily lives in ease and in hardship.

Use this Ramadan to increase in Zikr (apart from already enhancing in the Qur’an), and making the morning and evening Zikr a pleasurable habit!