With a heavy heart, we had to bid farewell to Ramadan. Now the month of Shawwal is upon us. The first day of this month marks Eid ul-Fitr; one of the two major days of festival for the Muslims. Apart from that, fasting 6 days of Shawwal has great significance and virtue in Islam.
Since Shawwal comes after Ramadan, its significance is also connected to Ramadan. Our Salaf used to say that one of the signs that our fasts have been accepted by Allah is to see our condition after Ramadan.
If a person is still able to continue with good deeds after Ramadan, then his/her fasts have been accepted by Allah. Therefore, it is important to keep doing good deeds after Ramadan, especially in Shawwal, so that our fasts are accepted in sha Allah.
The benefits of fasting 6 days in Shawwal are many. Some of them are: If someone fasts the entire month of Ramadan and then fasts 6 days of Shawwal, then it will be counted in the sight of Allah as fasting the entire year. Rasulullah ﷺ said: “He who observed the fast of Ramadan and then followed it with six (fasts) of Shawwal. It would be as if he fasted perpetually (the entire year).” [Sahih Muslim: 1164]
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Allah has made for each Hasanah (good deeds) ten like it, so a month is like fasting ten months, and fasting six days completes the year.” [Sahih al-Targhib wal Tahrib: 1/421]
The month of Shawwal is a test for the believers. It is the month to truly see if a believer stays firm on the path of righteousness or returns to post-Ramadan habits. Also, the 6 fasts of Shawwal are not to be missed.
Q. Are the 6 fasts of Shawwal compulsory?
Ans. The 6 fasts of Shawwal are not compulsory. They are Sunnah Mustahab. However, the virtues of them are great and one should try their best to keep them.
Q. Can I keep the 6 fasts of Ramadan separately or do I have to keep them consecutively?
Ans. There is no rule here. You can keep them separately or together. Both are permissible.
Q. Can I keep the fasts of Shawwal before making up for missed fasts in Ramadan?
Ans. The opinion of some honourable scholars is that missed fasts of Ramadan must be kept before fasting the 6 days of Shawwal.
Q. Can I combine Shawwal fasting with 3 fasts of Ayyam al-beed?
Ans. Yes. It is ok to do so.
Q. When can I start fasting on Shawwal?
Ans. Fasting on Eid Day is prohibited. Apart from that, you can fast any day of Shawwal. That includes the day after Eid ul-Fitr.