THE SIX FAST OF SHAWWAL

THE SIX FAST OF SHAWWAL

Abu Ayyub (may ALLĀH be pleased with him) reported:

The Messenger of ALLĀH (ﷺ) said, "He who observes fast in the month of Ramadān, and also observes fast for six days in the month of Shawwal, it is as if he has observed fast for the whole year.'' {Muslim}

{Riyādhus-Saliḥīn: Book 9, Chapter 228, Hadith 1254}

Hafiz Salahudeen Yusuf commented: "According to the formula that there is at least ten-fold reward for every virtue, the fast of one month (Ramadān) are equivalent to fast of ten months. If one also observes six days of fast of Shawwal, they will be equal to fast of two months. Thus, one becomes eligible for the reward of one full years' Saum. He who makes it a permanent feature is like one who observes Saum throughout his life. He will be considered by ALLĀH as one who observes fast permanently.

Although voluntary in nature, they are highly important. One can observe these six-day Saum at a stretch or with intervals, but their observance one after the other at the beginning of the month is better.

Similarly, if a person has missed some fast of Ramadān due to illness, travelling etc., he should first make up the shortfall and then observe the voluntary six-day fast of Shawwal."

📖 Sharḥ Riyādhus-Saliḥīn

GUIDANCE FROM THE HADITH:

1⃣. A good deed is rewarded with ten times as much. So, the fasting of Ramadān is equal to ten months. The six days in Shawwal equal sixty days, namely two months. This adds up to a whole year.

2⃣. It states the promised reward for those who fast the entire Ramadān along with six days in Shawwal even if the six days were not in succession.