Fasting in Shawwal

Let’s learn importance of fasting in Shawwal.

Pointers to know about Shawwal Sunnah Fasting.

Month of observance of extra fasting,Alhumdulilah, TabarkAllah, we are done with the blessed month of Ramadan of 1443 Hijrah and now we all are heading towards our routine. But before jumping into another month, it is Sunnah to observe some more fasts. Shawwal is the very next month after Ramadan, which has its own significance related to fasting to as well. There are number of sunnah fastings like Mondays and Thursdays, Ayyam-ul-beed (ايام البيض), day of Arafah etc. Among which, Shawwal’s 6 days fasting is enlist. This month, Muhammad ﷺ used to observe extra six fasts as it is hadith that

“Whoever fasts Ramadan and follows it with six days of Shawwal, it will be as if he fasted perpetually.”(Sahih Muslim, 2578).

This Hadith explains the vast reward of fasting six days of Shawwal . It can be observed any six days during month of Shawwal except first Shawwal as it is the first day of Eid-ul-fitr and it is prohibited to fast on two Eids that is Eid-ul-fitr and Eid-ul-adha. It is suggested to start fasting from second day of Shawwal but it’s not necessary to do so. Some people do 6 days consecutive fasting and some do with respect to their ease. So it is better to do it according to their ease. As some people got sick or feel weak after Ramadan fasting and then became unable to fast immediately after first day of Shawwal . Therefore, it has been optional to observe it immediately or when you feel it that way. Another most important aspect is that people who have missed some of their Ramadan fasts like women (during off-days), it is obligatory on them to complete their counting of missed fasts first. It is recommended to complete their counting and then continue with Shawwal one. It is highly recommended to complete all your obligatory fasting; not only from this year but from all of the time since it became obligatory on you. Some scholars also claim that one can make intention of both fasting like for obligatory one and for sunnah one. We are no one to claim anyone’s reward but Allah knows best. Though it is mentioned in Hadith (Tirmizi, 797) as well that winters are the best time to complete your counting of missed fasts because of short days but since it summers nowadays, which is at its peak, I am sure Allah will reward us most because of intense summer’s day. So gear up and start fasting from tomorrow if you haven’t done it yet; we are left with ten days only… May Allah make it easy for all of us and spread the word to be part of chain of sadqa-e-jariah…