FASTING SIX DAYS OF SHAWWAL

WHEN CAN ONE START FASTING SIX DAYS OF SHAWWAL?

Praise be to Allah love of the world.

        One 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.

The standing committee received the following question:

Should fasting the six days be done immediately after Ramadhan, following the day of 'Eid or is it permissible to do it a few days after 'Eid in the month of Shawwal or not?

They replied as follows:

These days do not have to be fasted immediately after 'Eid al-Fitr; 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 maneuver in this matter, and this is not obligatory, it is Sunnah.

And Allah is the Source of strength. May Allah bless our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions and grant them peace.

MOST THE SIX DAYS OF SHAWWAL BE FASTED CONSECUTIVELY?

As regards to the six days of Shawwal after Ramadhan, is it a condition that they should be fasted consecutively, or can I separate them? I want to fast them in three sessions, on the two days of the weekend.

Praise be to Allah love of the world.

It is not a necessary condition that they should be fasted consecutively. If you fast them separately or consecutively, it is OK. The sooner you do them, the better, because Allah says (interpretation of the meanings):

"So compete in good deeds."Al-Qur'an 5:48

"And march forth in the way (which leads to) forgiveness from your Lord."Al-Qur'an 3:133

"[Musa - peace be upon him - said:] … and I hastened to You, O my Lord, that You might be pleased."Al-Qur'an 20:84

And (you should hasten to fast these six days) because delaying may cause problems. This is the view of the Shafi'is and some of the Hanbalis, but it is OK if you do not hasten it and you delay it until the middle or end of the month.

An-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

"Our companions said: it is mustahabb to fast six days of Shawwal. Because of this hadith they said: it is mustahabb to fast these days consecutively at the beginning of Shawwal, but if one separates them or delays them until after Shawwal, this is permissible, because he will still be following the general guidelines of the hadith. We have no dispute regarding this matter, and this was also the view of Ahmad and Dawud."Al-Majmu' Sharh al-Muhadhdhab

CAN A PERSON START FASTING SIX DAYS OF SHAWWAL WHEN HE STILL HAS DAYS TO MAKE UP FROM RAMADHAN?

If a person fasts six days of Shawwal after Ramadhan when he has not yet completed the Ramadhan fast - because he did not fast ten days of Ramadhan for a legitimate reason - will he have the same reward as a person who fasted all of Ramadhan and followed it with six days of Shawwal, i.e. will he be like a person who fasted for a lifetime? Please explain to us, may Allah reward you with good.

Praise be to Allah love of the world.

The precise rewards for the deeds which people do for the sake of Allah is something which is known only to Allah. If a person seeks the reward from Allah and strives to obey Him, his reward will not be lost, as Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"We shall not make the reward of anyone who does his (righteous) deeds in the most perfect manner to be lost."Al-Qur'an 18:30

If someone has missed some of the days of Ramadhan, he should fast them first, then fast six days of Shawwal, because he cannot follow the fast of Ramadhan with six days of Shawwal unless he has completed his Ramadhan fast.

And Allah is the source of strength. May Allah bless our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions, and grant them peace.

DOES ONE HAVE TO FAST SIX DAYS OF SHAWWAL EVERY YEAR?

If someone fasts six days of Shawwal, then one year he gets sick or something prevents him from fasting, or he is too lazy to fast, will there be any sin on him? We have heard that if a person fasts these six days one year, he must never give up this practice thereafter.

Praise be to Allah love of the world.

Fasting six days of Shawwal after the day of 'Eid is Sunnah. It is not wajib (obligatory) on the person who does this once or more often to continue doing it. He is not guilty of a sin if he does not fast these days.

And Allah is the Source of strength. May Allah bless our Prophet Muhammad and grant him peace.