The Chaining of Devils in Ramadan (Tusfeed al-Shayateen) is a truth we believe in and affirm because it is established by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). However, the occurrence of sins during Ramadan does not contradict this reality. Scholars explain that if we take the Hadith literally, it may mean that only specific devils—the rebellious ones (Maradah)—are chained, or that they are chained during the nights of Ramadan but not the days.

His Eminence Dr. Husam Afaneh, Professor of Jurisprudence and its Principles at Al-Quds University in Palestine, elaborates on this matter:

Evidence from the Sunnah

The chaining of devils in Ramadan is confirmed in several authentic traditions:

  1. Sahih Al-Bukhari and Muslim: Abu Huraira reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “When Ramadan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of the Fire are closed, and the devils are chained.” Another narration in Bukhari states: “…and the devils are shackled.”
  2. Sunan At-Tirmidhi: Abu Huraira reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “On the first night of the month of Ramadan, the devils are chained, as are the rebellious Jinn… And a caller cries out: ‘O seeker of good, proceed! O seeker of evil, desist!’ And Allah has those He frees from the Fire, and that happens every night.” (Classified as Sahih by Al-Albani).
  3. Musnad Ahmad and An-Nasa’i: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said regarding Ramadan: “…In it, the rebellious devils (Maridah) are shackled…” (Classified as Sahih by Al-Albani).

Scholarly Interpretations: Who is Chained?

Scholars have differed regarding the meaning of “chaining” and “shackling.” Imam Ibn Khuzaimah, in his Sahih, titled a chapter clarifying that the Prophet (peace be upon him) intended the rebellious Jinn (Maradah), not all devils universally.

Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalani provided a comprehensive summary in Fath al-Bari, quoting various interpretations:

  • Al-Halimi’s View: It likely refers to the devils who eavesdrop on the heavens. Their chaining might occur specifically during the nights of Ramadan, not the days, to prevent them from stealing information as the Quran was being revealed.
  • The Protective View: It implies that devils cannot tempt Muslims as effectively as they do at other times, because Muslims are occupied with fasting, reciting the Quran, and suppressing their desires.
  • The Specific View: It refers only to the Maridah (the strongest, most rebellious devils), as explicitly mentioned in the narrations of Al-Nasa’i and Ibn Khuzaimah.

The Paradox: If Devils are Chained, Why Do We See Sin?

A common question arises: How do we see evils and sins occurring frequently in Ramadan if the devils are chained?

Al-Qurtubi answers this effectively:

  1. Conditional Protection: The devils are restrained specifically from those who fast properly—observing all conditions and etiquettes of fasting. For those who do not fast with this spiritual mindfulness, the restraint may not apply.
  2. Partial Chaining: As mentioned, only the Maradah (rebellious ones) are chained, not all of them.
  3. Other Sources of Sin: Reducing the influence of devils does not mean the elimination of all evil. Sins have other causes, such as:
    • The wicked soul (Nafs).
    • Ugly habits ingrained in a person.
    • Human devils (evil people who corrupt others).

Literal vs. Metaphorical Interpretations

1. The Literal View: Some scholars, like Qadi Iyadh, suggest it is interpreted literally as a sign for the angels that the month has begun and to prevent devils from physically harming believers.

2. The Metaphorical View: Others, including Ibn Abd al-Barr, suggest the language is metaphorical (Majaz).

  • Ibn Abd al-Barr states: “In my view, ‘The devils are chained’ is a metaphor… meaning that Allah protects the Muslims (or most of them) from sins and the devils cannot reach them with the same ease as they do during the rest of the year.”
  • Al-Tawribishti suggests: “Opening the gates of heaven” is a metaphor for the descent of mercy, and “closing the gates of Hell” is a metaphor for the abstinence of the fasting person’s soul from filth and sin.

Conclusion

The chaining of the devils in Ramadan is a reality we believe in as per the Prophet’s teachings. Whether interpreted literally (applying to the rebellious devils) or metaphorically (signifying a reduction in temptation and an increase in divine mercy), the occurrence of sins does not disprove the Hadith.

As Abdullah bin Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal reported: “I asked my father about the Hadith ‘When Ramadan comes, the devils are chained,’ saying, ‘But a man still experiences whispers (waswasah) and epilepsy (from Jinn) in Ramadan?’ He replied: ‘Thus the Hadith has come,’” (meaning we accept the text while acknowledging the reality).

Sins continue because the Maradah alone may be chained, or because evil stems from the self and bad habits, which require personal spiritual discipline to overcome.