What is The Virtue of Shawwal Fasting? Fasting Six 6 Days in Shawwal!

Alhamdulillah, all praise belongs to Allah who made it easy for us to witness this year’s Ramadan. We ask him to accept it as an act of worship. There’s no doubt that the Sharia encourages us to observe Nafilah, voluntary worship after the obligatory to fill any void or mistakes in the obligatory one. Fasting six days in Shawwal is voluntary, and we are going to learn the virtue of Shawwal fasting today in shaa Allah.

The Prophet of Allah ﷺ said

The first thing for which a person will be brought to account on the Day of Resurrection will be his prayer. If it is complete, then the voluntary (prayers) will also be recorded for him (as an increase). If it is not complete then Allah will say to His angels: ‘Look and see whether you find any voluntary prayers for My slave, and take them to make up what is lacking from his obligatory prayers.’ Then all his deeds will be reckoned in like manner.” (Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith No: 1426)

Observing Ramadan is obligatory on us, but we human beings can’t be perfect in all our worship, and this requires voluntary Fasting to complement and fill the gaps. There are a lot of voluntary fasts that we can observe, which can serve as supplementary worship for us, like Monday and Thursday Fasting, Ayyamul Beed (White days Fasting), Fasting on Arafah, Fasting six days in Shawwal, and many more.

What is the great virtue of Shawwal Fasting?

Fasting six days in Shawwal is a voluntary fast that has a great virtue and reward. Imagine earning the reward of fasting an entire year with just six extra days of fasting. Sounds great, right? This is the virtue of Shawwal fasting, a big rewardable opportunity granted by Allah to those who complete Ramadan and continue their devotion by striving to observe the Six Fasts of the month of Shawwal.

The great virtue of Shawwal Fasting is the reward of a full year of Fasting. Our Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) stated that fasting six days in Shawwal after completing Ramadan grants the reward of fasting for an entire year. Many people strive for extra rewards in worship, and this is one of the simplest and most rewarding recommended Sunnah that a believer can perform to earn more rewards. The Prophet said ﷺ

“Whoever fasts Ramadan and follows it with six days of Shawwal, it is as if he fasted for a lifetime.” (Sahih Muslim 1164)

This hadith alone is enough to show the immense virtue of Shawwal fasting and why it should not be missed by any believer striving to increase in Eeman (faith) and more rewards. While many Muslims might feel a sense of relief after completing Ramadan, those who seek extra rewards recognize that Shawwal offers a golden opportunity to continue their acts of worship and earn more rewards.

Why is fasting six days in Shawwal recommended?

Shawwal is a month that brings a lot of benefits and rewards.  It serves as a bridge between the intense devotion of Ramadan and the continuity of good deeds afterward. The virtue of Shawwal fasting makes it a recommended act of worship to engage in, as we have already explained above. We are going to mention other benefits, which include:

1. It serves as a means of showing gratitude

The beauty of fasting six days in Shawwal lies in its connection to Ramadan. Completing Ramadan is a great achievement, but following it up with six voluntary fasts serves as a sign of showing gratitude to Allah for the strength to complete Ramadan and make it easy to be able to continue on this good act of worship after Ramadan.

Just as a person who performs Sunnah prayers after their obligatory Salah to improve in their worship, fasting six days in Shawwal elevates the fast of Ramadan, making it even more complete and rewarding.

2. Completing Ramadan’s blessings and making up for the deficiency 

Just as Sunnah prayers complete the obligatory Salah, fasting in Shawwal ensures that any deficiencies or mistakes during Ramadan are compensated for, making one’s worship more perfect and complete in the sight of Allah.

The Prophet of Allah ﷺ said

The first thing for which a person will be brought to account on the Day of Resurrection will be his prayer. If it is complete, then the voluntary (prayers) will also be recorded for him (as an increase). If it is not complete then Allah will say to His angels: ‘Look and see whether you find any voluntary prayers for My slave, and take them to make up what is lacking from his obligatory prayers.’ Then all his deeds will be reckoned in like manner.” (Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith No: 1426)

3. It can be a sign of acceptance of one’s Ramadan fasting:

Fasting six days in Shawwal can indicate that a person’s Ramadan fasts have been accepted. One of the signs of a successful Ramadan is the ability to continue doing good deeds afterward. The ability to demonstrate one’s eagerness to maintain the discipline and devotion that we nurtured in Ramadan is a sign that the Ramadan fasting really has a positive impact in our lives.

Ibn Rajab Al-Hanbali (رحمه الله) said:
“Following Ramadan with six days of fasting is a sign that one’s Ramadan fasts were accepted. When Allah accepts a servant’s obligatory worship, He inspires them to perform voluntary deeds.”

4. Reward of a full year of Fasting

This is the greatest virtue of Shawwal fasting, as it was clearly established in an authentic hadith that our Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:

“Whoever fasts Ramadan and then follows it with six days of Shawwal, it is as if he has fasted for a lifetime.” (Sahih Muslim 1164)

Since our Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) has told us the reward of fasting six days in Shawwal, we accept it as he said it. Some Islamic scholars also explained that this equivalence can be based on the principle of multiplication of rewards. In Islam, every good deed is rewarded tenfold. By this calculation, let’s calculate this too:

• Fasting for 30 days in Ramadan is equivalent to fasting 300 days (10 months, i.e 30 x 10).
• Fasting six days in Shawwal is equivalent to fasting 60 days (2 months, i.e 6 x 10).
• Together, this equals 360 days, which is approximately a full lunar year. (300+60)

The most correct opinion is that our Prophet has already mentioned the reward and we can also accept the view of the scholars concerning this, based on their calculation according to deeds in Islam. But we should know that Allah has made it known that the reward of Fasting is for Him, and only Him can reward us for it. This can be in multiple folds, even more than our expectations.

5. Forgiveness of sins and means of entering Jannah

Fasting serves as an expiation for sins and our Prophet (ﷺ) mentioned that fasting is one of the greatest acts of worship that will bring a person closer to Jannah. Those who make voluntary fasting a habit increase their chances of entering Ar-Rayyan, the special gate of Paradise reserved for those who fast regularly.

“He who fasts one day in the way of Allah, Allah will keep him away from Hellfire a distance of seventy years.” (Bukhari & Muslim)

Rulings and Conditions for Fasting Six Days in Shawwal

1. Is fasting six days in Shawwal obligatory?

Fasting six days in Shawwal is not obligatory, but it is a highly recommended Sunnah. The Prophet (ﷺ) encouraged it, and it is an opportunity to earn great rewards. However, if someone is unable to fast due to illness or other valid reasons, there is no sin upon them.

2. Should these six days be consecutive?

Scholars have differing opinions on whether the six days should be fasted consecutively or separately. The majority opinion is that it is not necessary to fast them consecutively. A person can fast any six days of Shawwal based on their convenience. It should be observed in the month of Shawwal in order to earn the reward attached to it.

3. Can someone fast Shawwal before making up missed Ramadan Fasts?

Scholars have debated this issue. The safest opinion, supported by great scholars, is that a person should first complete their missed Ramadan fasts before observing the voluntary six days of Shawwal. Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen (رحمه الله) explained:

“The Hadith’s reward applies only if Ramadan is completed first. So prioritize Qadha (debt) fasts, then Shawwal.”

This means that the Ramadan debt should be paid first, then followed by fasting six days in Shawwal because our Prophet mentioned that the reward is for those who have completed the Ramadan fasting, THEN followed it with six days fasting in Shawwal.

Let’s make every worship count and observe it very well. We ask Allah to grant us more Ramadan in this world, accept our devotion, and grant us His mercy, guidance, and Jannah. Aameen.