🕌 The Virtues of Fasting Six Days of Shawwal: A Path to Eternal Rewards

🌙 A Second Chance for Lifelong Rewards

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

📖 Why Fast the Six Days of Shawwal?

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

مَنْ صَامَ رَمَضَانَ، ثُمَّ أَتْبَعَهُ سِتًّا مِنْ شَوَّالٍ، كَانَ كَصِيَامِ الدَّهْرِ
“Whoever fasts Ramadan and follows it with six (days of fasting) in Shawwal, it will be as if he fasted for a lifetime.”
— Sahih Muslim 1164a

How Does It Equal a Year of Fasting?

Islam teaches that a good deed is rewarded tenfold:

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

This is supported by the Qur’an:

مَنْ جَاءَ بِالْحَسَنَةِ فَلَهُ عَشْرُ أَمْثَالِهَا...
“Whoever comes with a good deed will have ten times the like thereof...”
— Surah Al-An’am 6:160

🗓️ 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

According to scholars:

لَا يُشْتَرَطُ التَّتَابُعُ فِي صِيَامِهَا...
“It is not essential that they be fasted consecutively or immediately after Eid.”
— IslamQA #7860

✨ 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 (ﷻ) has accepted your deeds.

وَيَزِيدُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱهْتَدَوْا هُدًى...
“And Allah increases those who were guided, in guidance...”
— Surah Maryam 19:76

3. Draw Closer to Allah (ﷻ)

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

وَمَا يَزَالُ عَبْدِي يَتَقَرَّبُ إِلَيَّ بِالنَّوَافِلِ حَتَّى أُحِبَّهُ...
“My servant continues to draw near to Me with voluntary acts of worship until I love him…”
— Sahih al-Bukhari 6502

⚖️ Rulings Related to Fasting in Shawwal

Intention (Niyyah)

The Prophet ﷺ once asked his wife Aisha (رضي الله عنها) if there was food. When she said no, he replied:

فَإِنِّي إِذًا صَائِمٌ
“Then I am fasting.”
— 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.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can I fast the six days consecutively?

✅ Yes — you may fast them consecutively or spread them out.

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

🟡 It’s best to complete your missed fasts first. If needed, fast Shawwal afterward and ask Allah (ﷻ) for reward.

❤️ Take Action: Don’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 — don’t miss this spiritual opportunity.

“May Allah (ﷻ) accept our fasting and grant us His endless mercy. Ameen!”

📚 Sources

• Sahih Muslim 1164a — Reward of fasting Shawwal
• Sahih Muslim 1154a — Intention during the day
• Sahih al-Bukhari 6502 — Voluntary acts draw Allah’s love
• Surah Al-An’am 6:160 — 10x reward for good deeds
• Surah Maryam 19:76 — Guidance increased for the guided
• IslamQA #7860 — Flexibility of Shawwal fasts