Fasting Six Days of Shawwal after Ramadan: ‘Like Fasting the Entire Year’

Hadrat Ayyub Al Ansaari (R.A.) relates that the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) said, “Whoever fasts Ramandaan and follows it with six days from Shawwal it is as if they fasted the entire year.” [Muslim]

 

In another narration from Hadrat Thawban (R.A.), he relates that the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) said, “Whoever fasts Ramandaan, and then six days after Eid, it is [like fasting] an entire year i.e. the reward given to such a person is reward of fasting the entire year. Whoever does a good deed shall have ten times its reward.” [Ibn Majah]

 

1. Based on this, the majority of the fuqaha (Jurists), including the Hanafi, Shafi’I, and Hanbali school, have held that it is recommended to fast six days of the month of Shawwal. [Radd al-Muhtaar]

 

2. It is permitted to fast these six days separately throughout the duration of the month os Shawwaal, or consecutively, after Eid al-Fitr. [ibid]

 

3. It is prohibitively disliked (makruh tahriman) and sinful to fast on Eid day itself. [Radd al-Muhtar]

 

4. The Shafi is and Hanbalis state that it is better to make six fast consecutive [Minhaj]. The reasoning behind this is that in order to hasten to do good, and because of the problems inevitable in delaying,’ such as becoming lazy and not actually fulfilling this sunna in the end, though he point out that the sunna is fulfilled by both consecutive and non-consecutive fasting of six days in Shawwal. [Mughni al-Muhtaj]. It is a known fact that after Ramandaan one is still in the mode of fasting and it will surely be easier for a person to continue fasting after a day’s break than allowing a few days to pass by. With each day of not fasting, resuming the fasts of Shawwaal becomes more difficult

 

The later Hanafi scholars differed as to which is better, fasting the six days consecutively or non-consecutively, though neither is disliked and both fulfill the sunna. [Radd al-Muhtar] However, it would be agrred that those who fear not fulfilling the recommendation due to laziness, forgetfulness or other excuses, should hasten to fast the six days consecutively immediately after Eid al-Fitr.

 

5. The reward is akin to having fasted obligatory fasts the entire year days, according to many scholars.

 

Hadrat Abu Hurayra (R.A.) said that the Prophet of Allah (S.A.W.) said,

“The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, though there is good in both. Be avid for that which benefits you. Rely on Allah and do not deem yourself incapable…” [Muslim]

 

Imam Nawawi (R.A.) explained that the ‘strength’ in this hadith refers to, ‘One’s determination and ability in matters of the next life.’ [Sharh Sahih Muslim]

 

So Ramandaan may have come and gone but once again through the sheer grace and mercy of Allah Ta’ala we are given another chance of security great rewards through fasting in the month of Shawwaal. Only the prudent amongst us will grab this opportunity and not let it slip by!

Source: islamtoday issue 92 (p.10)