Are devils chained up in Ramadan?

The hadith

The Prophet ﷺ said, "When Ramadan begins, the gates of heaven are opened, the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained" (Sahih al-Bukhari 1899). A similar wording is in Sahih Muslim 1079, which mentions the gates of mercy being opened.

It's a picture of the whole month: more mercy, less evil pressure, and an easier path to good deeds. Many converts notice this in their first Ramadan: praying feels lighter and people around them are kinder.

Then why do people still sin in Ramadan?

This is the most common question about the hadith, and scholars give several answers:

• The nafs is still there. Our own soul pulls towards wrong too. Prophet Yusuf's story in the Quran says it plainly (below).
• Habits run on autopilot. Eleven months of whispers leave patterns that keep going even when the whisperer is gone.
• Not all devils, or not completely. Some scholars say the hadith means the most rebellious devils are chained, or that their power is reduced, not that every evil influence disappears.
• It applies to those who fast properly. Some scholars say the effect is strongest for people who keep the fast with its manners.

What this means for you

If you still struggle in Ramadan, it's not proof that something is wrong with your faith. It's a mirror: whatever is left when Shaytan is restrained is your own nafs, and Ramadan is the month to work on it. That's why the Quran says fasting was prescribed "so that you may become righteous" (Quran 2:183). See Do Muslims believe in the devil?

Make the most of the quiet

With less outside pressure, Ramadan is the best time to build a habit that lasts: five daily prayers on time, a page of Quran a day, or giving up something you've been trying to quit. Start small and aim for consistency. See How do I prepare for my first Ramadan as a new Muslim? and, for the final stretch, What are the last ten nights of Ramadan?