In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Question: The Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said: ‘‘When Ramadhaan begins, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of hell fire are shut and the devils are chained”; does this mean that the one who dies in the month of Ramadhaan will enter Paradise?

Answer: The affair is not so; rather the meaning of this is that the gates of paradise are opened as an encouragement for the performers of (good) deeds so that they are facilitated with entry. And the gates of the hell fire are shut so that the people of Eemaan are kept away from disobedience, (and) so that they do not (enter) these gates. And the meaning of this (statement of the messenger) is not that the one who dies in Ramadhaan is going to enter paradise without reckoning; rather those who will enter Paradise without reckoning are those whom the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) described in his saying: ‘’They are those who neither seek Ruqya nor do they believe in good bad or good omens (from birds etc.), nor do they get themselves branded (Cauterised); but they place their trust (only) in their Lord”, alongside fulfilling that which Allaah has obligated upon them to (perform) of righteous actions. [Source: Fiqhul Ibaadaat of Imaam Muhammad Bin Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen (rahimahullaah) Page: 231]