Fasting six days of Shawwal

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيم

Praise be to God the Creator of the world, the One Who exists without beginning, without end, without location , without a “how” and Who does not depend on time. Nothing resembles Him in anyway and He hears and sees everything without organs. Whatever you imagine, God is different from that. May the elevation in degree and preservation of his community of what he fears for it, be granted to our master Muḥammad Al-‘Amin, the Honest One, who called for following Islam, the religion of truth, the religion of all the Prophets: of the First, Adam, to the last Muḥammad.

It is highly recommended to fast six days of the month of Shawwal, as this is a praiseworthy act which results in abundant reward. However, it is not required to fast six days continuously without any interruption. One can fast according to convenience any time during the month of Shawwal.

The Prophet Salla lLâhu `alayhi wa sallam is reported to have said:

« من صام رمضان وأتبعه ستًا من شوال كان كصيام الدهر »

which means: « Whoever fasts the month of Ramaḍān, and then follows it up by (fasting) six days of Shawwal, it is as though he has fasted the whole year. » (narrated by Imam Muslim)

However, there are other scholars who do not consider it absolutely necessary to begin the optional fasting of six days of Shawwal immediately after `Eid Al-Fitr. According to them, one may fast any of the six days of Shawwal. Neither do they consider it necessary for a person to fast the six days consecutively. So long as one has fasted six days either consecutively or separately, he has fulfilled the requirement and he will receive the same rewards.

We humbly ask Allâh to enlighten us with the light of Knowledge, and keep us steadfast to the path of truth and righteousness. Ameen.

الحمد لله رب العالمين

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