ِ ‫ِب ۡس ِم ٱ‬
‫هلل ٱلر ۡح َم ٰـ ِن ٱلر ِح ِمم‬
Prepared by: Dr. Abdul Hakim
Allah (SWT) is the most merciful, “Ar-Rahman”. He (SWT)
created different avenue for us to receive His “Rahmah”
as well as lot of reward, one of them is fasting 6 days in
Shawwal followed by fasting in Ramadan. Here I would
like to share some information concerning fasting 6 days
in Shawwal.
Ayyub (RA) relates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said,
“Whoever fasts Ramadan and follows it with six days from
Shawwal it is as if they fasted the entire year.” [Hadith:Muslim, Abu Dawud,
Tirmidhi, and Ibn Majah; Ahmad transmitted it from Jabir, Muntaqa]
In another Hadith Thawban (RA) relates that the Messenger of Allah
(PBUH) said, “Whoever fasts Ramadan, and then six days after Eid,
it is [like fasting] an entire year. Whoever does a good deed shall
have ten times its reward.” [Hadith: Ibn Majah, Muntaqa]
It says in Nuzhat al-Mutaqin, the commentary on Imam Nawawi's
that, "Whoever fasts Ramadan and follows it up with six from
Shawwal, it is as though he has fasted all of time, because each
day is equivalent to ten days, ‘Whoever performs a good deed, he
will have ten like it’ [Ref: Riyad al-Salihin (2/132)]. So Ramadan would count
as ten months (30 days Ramadan multiplied by 10 i.e. 300 days or
10 months) and six days (in Shawwal) multiplied by ten would
equal two months.
1. It is permitted to fast these six days separately throughout the month, or consecutively, after Eid alFitr. [Ref: ibid.]
2. The Shafiis and Hanbalis state that it is superior to make the six fasts consecutive
[Ref: Minhaj, Ghayat al-
Muntaha].
Khatib al-Shirbini explains the reasoning as being, “In order to hasten to do the good, and because of
the problems inevitable in delaying,” such as becoming lazy and not actually fulfilling this “sunna” in
the end, though he points out that the “sunna” is fulfilled by both consecutive and non-consecutive
fasting of six days in Shawwal. [Ref: Mughni al-Muhtaj]
3. It is highly recommended to fast six days in Shawwal, but it is not obligatory (fard). For those who
want to fast, it is better that they start fasting from the second day of Shawwal, but they can fast after
the Eidul Fitr any six days during the whole month of Shawwal. It is not required to fast six days
continuously without any interruption. One can fast according to convenience any time during the
month and the fast is very much like the fasts of Ramadan. [Dr Muzammil H. Siddiqi, President of the Fiqh
Council of North America]. Ref: http//www.pakistanlink.com/Religion/2005/05032005.htm
4. So long as one has fasted six days either consecutively or separately, he has fulfilled the requirement
and he will receive the same rewards. [Ahmad Kutty].
(Ref: http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503546310)
Our beloved Prophet (PBUH) said: “Whoever fasts Ramadan,
then follows it with six from Shawwal, it is as though he fasted
all of time.” [Hadith: Muslim, Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, and Ibn Majah; Ahmad transmitted it
from Jabir, Muntaqa].
Note: The reward is for the one who fasts all days in the month of Ramadan
and then fasts six days of Shawwal. Therefore, make up the missed days of
Ramadan first (those one missed) and then fast the six days of Shawwal.
Allah (SWT) knows the best.
Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi stated that: Your fist duty is to make up your
“obligation” and then do the “Nawafil”. Fasts of Ramadan are
obligatory (Fard) while the fasts of Shawwal are recommended (Nafl).
If you are confident that you will make up the missed fasts of
Ramadan later, then fast the 6 days of Shawwal, otherwise you
should do your missed Ramadan fasts first and then if possible do
the “Nafl” fasting. Allah Almighty knows best.
[Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi, President of the Fiqh Council of North America].
Ref: http://www.islamonline.net/livefatwa/english/Browse.asp?hGuestID=rn49E7
Please try to fast 6 days in this Month (Shawwal) to get tremendous rewards (like
fasting whole year) from Allah (SWT). I pray to Allah (SWT) to give us strength and
“Towfique” to perform these “Nafl” Ibadath. (Ameen).
Note: The objective of this article is just to satisfy Almighty Allah (SWT), not any worldly
reward.
Our beloved Prophet (PBUH) said that: “Allah, the angels, the inhabitants of heaven and
earth, even the ant in its hole and even the fish in the sea, send blessings upon the one
who teaches the people good.” [Hadith: Tirmidhi].
Dr. Abdul Hakim, Research Scientist
8624 FESTIVAL DRIVE CALIFORNIA, USA
PHONE: (916) 525-1594