Sitta Shawwal

Sitta Shawwal
ITS SIGNIFICANCE AND RULINGS

Introduction
Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari relates that Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) says: “Whoever fasts the
month of Ramadan and then follows it with six days of fasting in the month of Shawwal, it will be as if
he had fasted the year through.” (Sahih Muslim, 1163)
The month of Shawwal is singled out for the observance of extra fasts, since this month follows
immediately after Ramadan. The six days of voluntary fasting are to the obligatory fast of Ramadan
what the Sunnah prayers are to the obligatory prayers.
Thawban reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The fast of Ramadan is like observing 10
months of fasting. Fasting six days of Shawwal is like observing two months of fasting. This together is
like fasting throughout the year.” (Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, Sunan Al-Nasai Al-Kubra; authenticated by
Al-Albani)
Al-Nawawi says: “Scholars have explained that it is like observing a year of fasting because the reward
of one’s good deeds are multiplied 10-fold. Therefore fasting the month of Ramadan is like fasting for
10 months and fasting six days in the month of Shawwal is like fasting for two months.” (Sahih
Muslim)
Virtues of fasting six days fasting in Shawwal
1. Fasting 6 days in Shawwal after Ramadan gives the person the reward of fasting throughout the
year.
2. The fasts of Sha’ban and Shawwal are like the Sunnah prayers that accompany the five obligatory
prayers. Like the Sunnah prayers, these extra fasts cover up for the deficiencies in our performance of
our obligatory worship. On the Day of Judgment, our voluntary acts of worship will compensate for
the shortcomings in how we carried out our duties. Most of us have deficiencies in our observance of
our Ramadan fasts and we need something to cover up for those deficiencies. Nafilats filling gaps.
3. Our return to the habit of fasting right after Ramadan is a sign that our Ramadan fasts were
accepted. When Allah accepts our worship, He blesses us to engage in further acts of piety. The saying
goes: The reward of virtue is further virtue. Therefore, following one good deed with others like it is a
sign that the first deed had been accepted by Allah. By contrast, if a person’s good deed is followed by
a sinful one, it is an indication that the first good deed might not have been accepted.
4. Those who observe the fast of Ramadan are given their recompense of the day of Eid Al-Fitr, the
day when the fast is rewarded. Getting into the habit of fasting again soon thereafter is a means of
giving thanks to Allah for the blessings that we have received. There is no blessing greater than
forgiveness for one’s sins, and we know that fast of Ramadan is recompensed with forgiveness of one’s
previous sins.
Q &A
Is it Wajib (obligatory)?
Fasting six days of Shawwal after the obligatory fast of Ramadan is Sunnah Mustahabbah, not
wajib. It is recommended for the Muslim to fast six days of Shawwal, and in this there is great
virtue and an immense reward.
When should a Muslim start fasting six days of Shawwal?
You can start fasting six days of Shawwal from the second day of Shawwal, because it is haram to
fast on the day of 'Eid. You can fast the six days at any time during Shawwal, although the best of
good deeds are those which are done soonest.
It is permissible to start fasting them one or more days after 'Eid, and they may be done
consecutively or separately during the month of Shawwal, according to what is easier for a
person. There is plenty of room for manoeuvre in this matter, and this is not obligatory, it is
Sunnah.
Q &A
Can one make a dual intention when fasting (i.e. for making up their obligatory fasts and, at
the same time, the six days of Shawwal)?
➢There is a temptation (and I guess a belief) that one can start making up their obligatory fasts
now and at the same time make a dual intention for the six days of Shawwal too, on the same
single day, to try and kill two birds with one stone. This is incorrect.
➢Although this is something permissible for general matters such as combining the intention for
tahiyyat al-masjid and the sunnah of wudhu' and the two sunnah before dhuhr for example, or
combining the intention for the voluntary fast of Monday and the fast of Ayyamul baid. It is not
correct to do it in *this* qadha'/Shawwal case because you have (a) a specific obligation to make
up and (b) a specific voluntary fast to perform, which require separate intentions and focus.
➢Thus, these must be done separately. As I have mentioned above, it is best that one does the
obligatory qadha' missed fasts first, and then the six days of Shawwal separately afterwards. Or,
they do the six days of Shawwal now and then do the qadha' afterwards.

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Sitta Shawwal

ITS SIGNIFICANCE AND RULINGS

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