Shawwal Fasting (Sitta Shawwal) Hadith And Things You Should Know

In this blog, we will delve deeper into the significance of Shawwal fasting and answer some FAQs related to fasting in the month of Shawwal.

As one of the most blessed months in the Islamic calendar, Shawwal holds great significance for Muslims worldwide.

It is the tenth month of the lunar calendar, and it follows Ramadan, the month of fasting and spiritual reflection.

Shawwal is also known as the month of Eid, as it marks the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, a joyous festival that brings together family, friends, and communities.

During this month, Muslims continue to engage in acts of worship and reflection, seeking to maintain the spiritual momentum of Ramadan.

Shawwal in Arabic

In Arabic, Shawwal is written as “شَوَّال‎“. It is the tenth month of the Islamic calendar and follows the month of Ramadan, which is the ninth month.

What is special about Shawwal?

Shawwal is special because it is the month that follows Ramadan, during which Muslims fast from dawn until dusk. It is also known as the month of Eid al-Fitr, which is the festival of breaking the fast that marks the end of Ramadan. Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr on the first day of Shawwal.

Hadith On Shawwal Fasting in Arabic

عن أَبي أيوب رضي الله عنه أنَّ رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ: ((مَنْ صَامَ رَمَضَانَ ثُمَّ أتْبَعَهُ سِتًّا مِنْ شَوَّالٍ، كَانَ كَصِيَامِ الدَّهْرِ)).

مسلم

Hadith On Fasting in Shawwal in English

Abu Ayyub reported: The Messenger of Allah SAW said, “He who observes As-Saum (the fasts) in the month of Ramadan, and also observes As-Saum for six days in the month of Shawwal, it is as if he has observed As-Saum for the whole year.”

Muslim

Virtues Of Fasting 6 Days Of Shawwal (Sitta Shawwal)

Whoever fasts these six days will have recorded for him a reward as if he had fasted a whole year, as was reported in a sahih hadith from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).

Abu Ayyub (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

“Whoever fasts Ramadan and follows it with six days of Shawwal, it will be as if he fasted for a lifetime.” (Narrated by Muslim, Abu Dawud, al-Tirmidhi, al-Nasai and Ibn Majah).

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) explained this when he said:

“Whoever fasts for six days after (‘Eid) al-Fitr has completed the year: (whoever does a good deed (hasanah) will have ten hasanah like it).”

According to another report: “Allah has made for each hasanah ten like it, so a month is like fasting ten months, and fasting six days completes the year.” (al-Nasai and Ibn Majah. See also Sahih al-Targhib wa’l-Tarhib, 1/421)

It was also narrated by Ibn Khuzaymah with the wording: “Fasting for the month of Ramadan brings the reward of ten like it, and fasting for six days brings the reward of two months, and that is the fasting of the whole year.”

The Hanbali and Shafi’i fuqaha explained that fasting six days of Shawwal after fasting Ramadan makes it as if one has fasted for an entire year of obligatory fasts, because the multiplication of the reward applies even to nafl fasts, because each hasanah brings the reward of ten like it.

Another of the important benefits of fasting six days of Shawwal is that it makes up for any shortfall in a person’s obligatory Ramadan fasts, because no one is free of shortcomings or sins that have a negative effect on his fasting.

FAQ

Is Shawwal Fasting Compulsory?

Fasting in Shawwal is not compulsory, but it is highly recommended. Muslims are encouraged to fast for six days during the month of Shawwal, as it is considered to be a way of earning additional rewards from Allah (SWT) for the good deeds done during Ramadan.

Fasting six days of Shawwal after the obligatory fast of Ramadan is Sunnah Mustahabbah, not wajib. It is recommended for the Muslim to fast six days of Shawwal , and in this there is great virtue and an immense reward.

What Are The 6 Days Of Shawwal?

The six days of Shawwal are the six days that follow the Eid al-Fitr festival. Muslims are encouraged to fast during these six days as it is believed that the reward for fasting during this period after Ramadan is equivalent to fasting for the entire year.

Can you fast any 6 days of Shawwal?

Yes, Muslims can fast any six days of Shawwal. It is not necessary to fast for six consecutive days. The six days can be spread out throughout the month of Shawwal as per one’s convenience.

Why do we fast six days of Shawwal?

Fasting for six days during the month of Shawwal is considered to be a way of earning additional rewards from Allah (SWT) for the good deeds done during Ramadan. It is believed that the reward for fasting during this period is equivalent to fasting for the entire year.

What are the 3 white days of Shawwal?

The three white days of Shawwal are the 13th, 14th, and 15th days of the month of Shawwal.

What is the reward of fasting 6 days of Shawwal?

The reward for fasting six days during the month of Shawwal is believed to be equivalent to fasting for the entire year. This is because every good deed is multiplied by ten during Ramadan, and fasting for six days during Shawwal is equivalent to fasting for 60 days, which is the same as fasting for two months.

Therefore, the reward for fasting during these six days is equivalent to fasting for the entire year.

Some scholars expounded that as each good deed is ten folds of the deed, so Ramadan, which is a month, will be ten months, and the six days (of Shawwal) will be sixty days, which will be two months.

Can you fast Shawwal on Monday or Thursday?

Yes, there is nothing wrong fasting the six days of Shawwal on Mondays and Thursdays, and there will be recorded for you the reward of fasting the six days (of Shawwal) and of fasting on Mondays and Thursdays.

Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Uthaymin (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

“If it so happens that the fasting of these six days of Shawwal is done on Mondays and Thursdays , then the person will attain the reward of fasting on a Monday with the intention of attaining the reward for fasting the six days , and the intention of attaining the reward for fasting on a Monday or Thursday, because the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said:

“Actions are but by intentions, and each person will have but that which he intended.”

From IslamQA

Al-Bukhaari (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: Chapter: Fasting on the day of al-Fitr.

Then he narrated (1992) that Abu Sa’eed (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade fasting on the day of al-Fitr and al-Nahr.

Based on this, the day of al-Fitr is just one day, on which it is haraam to fast, As for the second and third days of Shawwaal, it is not haraam to fast those days; it is permissible to fast it to make up a missed Ramadaan fast or as a voluntary fast.

How many days in Shawwal?

There are 29 or 30 days in the month of Shawwal like any other Islamic months.