Fasting Six Days of Shawwal: Reward of a Lifetime

Fasting Six Days of Shawwal: Reward of a Lifetime

๐Ÿ•Œ The Virtues of Fasting Six Days of Shawwal: A Path to Eternal Rewards

๐ŸŒ™ A Second Chance for Lifelong Rewards

As Ramadan ends, many Muslims feel a longing to maintain the spiritual momentum theyโ€™ve built. Fasting the six days of Shawwal offers a powerful opportunity to extend the blessings of Ramadan โ€” and gain the reward of fasting for an entire year.

๐Ÿ“– Why Fast the Six Days of Shawwal?

The Prophet Muhammad ๏ทบ said:

ู…ูŽู†ู’ ุตูŽุงู…ูŽ ุฑูŽู…ูŽุถูŽุงู†ูŽุŒ ุซูู…ู‘ูŽ ุฃูŽุชู’ุจูŽุนูŽู‡ู ุณูุชู‘ู‹ุง ู…ูู†ู’ ุดูŽูˆู‘ูŽุงู„ูุŒ ูƒูŽุงู†ูŽ ูƒูŽุตููŠูŽุงู…ู ุงู„ุฏู‘ูŽู‡ู’ุฑู
โ€œWhoever fasts Ramadan and follows it with six (days of fasting) in Shawwal, it will be as if he fasted for a lifetime.โ€
โ€” Sahih Muslim 1164a

How Does It Equal a Year of Fasting?

Islam teaches that a good deed is rewarded tenfold:

  • 30 days of Ramadan ร— 10 = 300 days
  • 6 days of Shawwal ร— 10 = 60 days
  • Total: 360 days โ€” equivalent to fasting the whole year.

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This is supported by the Qurโ€™an:

ู…ูŽู†ู’ ุฌูŽุงุกูŽ ุจูุงู„ู’ุญูŽุณูŽู†ูŽุฉู ููŽู„ูŽู‡ู ุนูŽุดู’ุฑู ุฃูŽู…ู’ุซูŽุงู„ูู‡ูŽุง...
โ€œWhoever comes with a good deed will have ten times the like thereof...โ€
โ€” Surah Al-Anโ€™am 6:160

๐Ÿ—“๏ธ When to Fast the Six Days of Shawwal

The six fasts of Shawwal are flexible. You can:

  • Start right after Eid al-Fitr
  • Fast them all together or space them out

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According to scholars:

ู„ูŽุง ูŠูุดู’ุชูŽุฑูŽุทู ุงู„ุชู‘ูŽุชูŽุงุจูุนู ูููŠ ุตููŠูŽุงู…ูู‡ูŽุง...
โ€œIt is not essential that they be fasted consecutively or immediately after Eid.โ€
โ€” IslamQA #7860

โœจ Benefits of Fasting in Shawwal

1. Complete the Reward of a Lifetime

Fasting these six days gives you the reward of fasting an entire year.

2. Sign of an Accepted Ramadan

Continuing worship after Ramadan is a hopeful sign that Allah (๏ทป) has accepted your deeds.

ูˆูŽูŠูŽุฒููŠุฏู ูฑู„ู„ู‘ูŽู‡ู ูฑู„ู‘ูŽุฐููŠู†ูŽ ูฑู‡ู’ุชูŽุฏูŽูˆู’ุง ู‡ูุฏู‹ู‰...
โ€œAnd Allah increases those who were guided, in guidance...โ€
โ€” Surah Maryam 19:76

3. Draw Closer to Allah (๏ทป)

These fasts fall under nawafil (voluntary acts), which draw us closer to Allah (๏ทป):

ูˆูŽู…ูŽุง ูŠูŽุฒูŽุงู„ู ุนูŽุจู’ุฏููŠ ูŠูŽุชูŽู‚ูŽุฑู‘ูŽุจู ุฅูู„ูŽูŠู‘ูŽ ุจูุงู„ู†ู‘ูŽูˆูŽุงููู„ู ุญูŽุชู‘ูŽู‰ ุฃูุญูุจู‘ูŽู‡ู...
โ€œMy servant continues to draw near to Me with voluntary acts of worship until I love himโ€ฆโ€
โ€” Sahih al-Bukhari 6502

โš–๏ธ Rulings Related to Fasting in Shawwal

Intention (Niyyah)

The Prophet ๏ทบ once asked his wife Aisha (ุฑุถูŠ ุงู„ู„ู‡ ุนู†ู‡ุง) if there was food. When she said no, he replied:

ููŽุฅูู†ู‘ููŠ ุฅูุฐู‹ุง ุตูŽุงุฆูู…ูŒ
โ€œThen I am fasting.โ€
โ€” Sahih Muslim 1154a

This shows that intention for voluntary fasts can be made during the day as long as nothing has invalidated the fast.

Can We Fast Shawwal Before Making Up Missed Ramadan Fasts?

If missed fasts during Ramadan due to valid reasons should ideally be made up first. However, if time does not permit fasting both within Shawwal, the six days may be fasted after making up the missed fasts (qada) with hope for reward.

โ“ Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can I fast the six days consecutively?

โœ… Yes โ€” you may fast them consecutively or spread them out.

Q2: Do I need to complete missed Ramadan fasts first?

๐ŸŸก Itโ€™s best to complete your missed fasts first. If needed, fast Shawwal afterward and ask Allah (๏ทป) for reward.

โค๏ธ Take Action: Donโ€™t Miss Out on the Reward of a Lifetime

Mark your calendar and make the intention to fast the six days of Shawwal. Whether you fast them right after Eid or space them out โ€” donโ€™t miss this spiritual opportunity.

โ€œMay Allah (๏ทป) accept our fasting and grant us His endless mercy. Ameen!โ€

๐Ÿ“š Sources