Should I make up for my missed Fard fasts of Ramadan before fasting the 6 days of Shawwal? Should I fast the 6 days in sequence or spread them out? Can I also combine intentions?
In this article, we’ve covered some of the most frequently asked questions about the 6 days of Shawwal fasting!
1- Is it obligatory to fast the 6 days of Shawwal?
No, it is not obligatory. However, it is recommended to fast the 6 days of Shawwal since there’s great virtue and enormous rewards for this voluntary deed.
2- What is the reward for fasting the 6 days of Shawwal?
"Whoever fasts Ramadan, then follows it with six from Shawwal, then that is (equal in reward) to fasting every day." – Tirmidhi: 759
3- When should we start fasting for 6 days in Shawwal?
It is prohibited to fast on the day of Eid (1st Shawwal). However, it is permissible to fast later anytime in the month.
4- Are these 6 days to be fasted continuously (without any break in between)?
The Shawwal fasts can be kept consecutively or separately during the given month, however it is easier for the individual. That said, we must remember that it is prohibited to single out Fridays for fasting unless one fasts the day before or after that as well.
Abu Huraira narrated: Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “None of you should fast on a Friday unless he fasts the day before or the day after.” – Sahih Muslim: 1144(a)
5- Should we start fasting in Shawwal only once we’ve observed our missed Fard fasts of Ramadan?
The number of Fard fasts missed during Ramadan can be observed:
Before we start with the six voluntary fasts of Shawwal
After keeping the six voluntary fasts of Shawwal in the same month, or
After the month of Shawwal
There’ll be no reduction in rewards for the Fard fasts, no matter when we observe them.
6- Can we combine our missed fasts with the 6 days of fasting in Shawwal?
No, we can’t combine both intentions. That’s because while Ramadan fasts are Fard for Muslims, Shawwal fasting is voluntary. There’s also no mention of combining these intentions in Hadith.
7- Can we fast on Fridays in Shawwal?
It is prohibited to single out Fridays for fasting unless one fasts the day before or after that as well.
Abu Huraira narrated: Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “None of you should fast on a Friday unless he fasts the day before or the day after.” – Sahih Muslim: 1144(a)
8- What if one takes the whole month of Shawwal to make up for their missed Fard fasts (due to childbirth or any other reason whatsoever). Can they still observe Shawwal fasts in the month afterward (Dhu al-Qi'dah)?
No, the six voluntary Shawwal fasts can only be observed during the month of Shawwal.
A person (who wants to fast the extra six days of Shawwal) should only observe their missed Fard fasts first when they’re certain they can still keep the Shawwal fasts within the given Islamic month.
In any case, it’s best to perform the voluntary fasts immediately after the day of Eid.
9- Can we combine fasting on the white days (Ayyām al-Bīḍ) – which is 13th, 14th, and 15th of the Islamic month – with the six days of Shawwal fasting?
Yes, there is nothing wrong with combining the intention of fasting on the white days with the six days of voluntary fasting during Shawwal.
10- Can we fast on Mondays and Thursdays when fasting the 6 days of Shawwal?
Yes, there is nothing wrong with that. The person fasting will get the rewards for observing fasts on a Monday and Thursday since this is Sunnah, and he will also earn rewards for the voluntary six-day fasting of Shawwal.
