Does The Congratulating Of Ramadan Make Heaven Obligatory?

Darulifta Ahlesunnat

(Dawateislami)

Question

   What do the scholars of Islam say about the following matter: Regarding the arrival of Ramaḍān, a narration explaining how Paradise becomes wājib upon whosoever is the first to congratulate someone concerning the arrival of Ramaḍān is commonly spoken of. Does such a narration exist? And can it be shared further?

بِسْمِ اللہِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ

اَلْجَوَابُ بِعَوْنِ الْمَلِکِ الْوَھَّابِ اَللّٰھُمَّ ھِدَایَۃَ الْحَقِّ وَالصَّوَابِ

   The blessed month of Ramaḍān has innumerable virtues. To congratulate others on its arrival and mention its virtues is not only permissible, but also proven to have been done by the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. The following is narrated in Musannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah and Musnad Imam Aḥmad bin Ḥanbal, on the authority of sayyidunā Abū Hurayrah رضی اللہ عنہ:

واللفظ للاول:’’ قال نبي الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وهو يبشر اصحابه: قد جاءكم رمضان شهر مبارك، افترض عليكم صيامه، تفتح فيه ابواب الجنة و تغلق فيه ابواب الجحيم وتغل فيه الشياطين، فيه ليلة القدر خير من الف شهر، من حرم خيرها فقد حرم

   Whilst giving glad tidings to his Companions (upon the arrival of Ramaḍān), the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم declared:

   Without doubt, the blessed month of Ramadan has just come to you. Its fasts have been made been farḍ upon you. In this month the doors of Paradise are opened, the doors of Hellfire closed and devils are shackled. In it is Laylat ul-Qadr, which is superior to a thousand months. Whoever remained deprived of goodness in this, is truly deprived.

   Commenting on this hadith, ʿallāmah ibn Rajab Ḥanbali رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه writes, قال بعض العلماء: هذا الحديث اصل في تهنئة الناس بعضهم بعضا بشهر رمضان - “Some scholars have said this hadith is proof for people to congratulate one another in regards to Ramaḍān.”

   As for the narration mentioned in the question, I have not come across it nor have I heard it from scholars. Such statements are generally fabricated, and deliberately ascribing a fabricated statement to the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم is haram. We find severe warnings related to this in ahadith, one of which is found in both Ṣaḥīḥ Bukhāri and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim. Sayyidunā Abū Hurayrah narrates how the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, من کذب علی متعمداً فلیتبوا مقعدہ من النار - “Whosoever ascribed a lie to me knowingly should make his abode in Hellfire.”

   Furthermore, one should not forward everything he hears without verifying it, as the hadith describes a person who does so as a liar For example, observe the following hadith found in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, “Relaying everything he hears is enough for a man to be considered a liar.”

   Therefore, it is absolutely necessary to refrain from sharing messages or posts consisting of such narrations.

وَاللہُ اَعْلَمُ عَزَّوَجَلَّ وَرَسُوْلُہ اَعْلَم صَلَّی اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم