Fasting in Shawwal: A Continuation of Spiritual Growth

The month of Ramadan, with its intense spiritual focus and self-discipline, is a time of deep significance for Muslims worldwide. However, the Islamic calendar offers a beautiful extension to the blessings of Ramadan through fasting in Shawwal, an opportunity that many cherish to maintain their spiritual highs. Fasting in Shawwal isn’t just a way to mark the conclusion of a sacred period but also to enhance personal convictions and build a stronger relationship with Allah. This blogpost highlights the significance and virtues of fasting in Shawwal and some practical tips while fasting in this sacred month.

Significance of Fasting in Shawwal

Shawwal is the tenth month in the Islamic calendar, immediately following Ramadan. While fasting in Ramadan is obligatory for all mentally and physically fit adult Muslims, fasting in Shawwal represents a significant act of voluntary worship that can bring additional rewards. This voluntary fast consists of Fasting 6 days of shawwal, any time after the day of Eid al-Fitr, the first day following Ramadan. Imam Muslim narrated on the authority of Hazrat Abu Ayub Ansari, that the Prophet (PBUH) said:

“Whoever fasts Ramadan and then fasts 6 days of shawwal, it is as if he fasted his whole life.”

The same thing is mentioned in Sunan Ibn Majah and others “One month of Ramadan is equal to ten months and 6 days of shawwal will be equal to the sixty days (as one good deed is equal to ten)”. This is based on the fact that observing the fast of Ramadan and observing the six fasts of Shawwal along with it will be a whole year of fasting, so the significance of these 6 days of Shawwal is proved by the hadith.

Understanding Shawwal Fasting Days

These six fasts will suffice for every individual, whether kept consecutively or intermittently. However, scholars have deemed it preferable to observe them immediately after Eid, meaning they should commence on the second day of Eid, so that complete adherence is ensured. This is because the directive specifies, “whoever observes the fasts of Ramadan and then follows them up with six days of Shawwal immediately after.” Therefore, complete adherence will occur when one observes the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh fasts, concluding with the seventh day. Nonetheless, if the fasts are kept intermittently, there is still room for it to be accepted.

Fasting in Shawwal is Mustahabb

The hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not explicitly state that He fasted, but the occurrence of action is sufficient evidence according to the Sunnah. It’s unnecessary to prove that the Prophet himself acted because many actions are established through their occurrence, and many of your statements also serve as evidence. Therefore, both the sayings and actions constitute the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and this is all included in the command of Allah:

“Certainly you have in the Messenger of Allah an excellent example for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day.” (Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:21).

Moreover, the action doesn’t need to be explicitly proven.

True Virtue of Fasting in Shawwal

It is necessary to begin observing the missed fasts (qaza) before the six days of Shawwal because the virtue of the six days of Shawwal will only be attained once the fasts of Ramadan are completed and any missed fasts are made up.

Some scholars argue that it is essential to complete the fasts before the end of Ramadan, as the hadith states, “Whoever observes the fasts of Ramadan.” And if someone still has pending fasts from Ramadan, their fasts are not complete yet. The basis of the virtue of these six days is established after completing the fasts of Ramadan, and then observing the six days of Shawwal. Therefore, it is necessary to first observe the complete fasts of Ramadan, then make up any missed fasts, and then observe the six days of Shawwal. There are two scenarios in this regard:

Making Up Missed Fast First

Some sisters present this excuse that they have been excused for the entire month, such as if they are experiencing postpartum bleeding. In such a situation, what should they do? Seeing this scenario, they suggest that they should make up the missed fasts (qaza), and when they are done with making up the missed fasts, they should observe Fast 6 days of Shawwal, even if it’s in the month of Dhul-Qa’dah. This is because they could not act upon this Sunnah in the Shawwal month due to their excuse, as they were fulfilling their obligation of making up the missed fasts.

Fast in Shawwal before Making Up Missed Fast

It is also permissible to observe the six days of Shawwal before making up missed fasts, and this is because the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever fasts Ramadan and then follows it with six days of Shawwal…” The evidence in favor of this is that the person indeed observed the fasts of Ramadan. Therefore, if someone observed a few days of fasting and then broke his fast for the rest of Ramadan due to an excuse, it would still be said that he observed the fasts of Ramadan.

Yes, indeed, it would be said that he observed the fasts of Ramadan because the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not specify that the person must have observed the entirety of Ramadan, nor did he specify that the person must have no remaining fasts from Ramadan. Rather, he said, “Whoever fasts during Ramadan.” This statement applies truthfully to anyone who observes fasts during Ramadan, even if he could not complete all of them due to an excuse. Therefore, it is not necessary for someone to first make up missed fasts before attaining the virtue of observing the six days of Shawwal.

Practical Tips for Fasting in Shawwal

Making the most out of fasting in Shawwal requires some thoughtful planning. This includes maintaining balanced meals on non-fasting days, ensuring proper hydration, and consolidating sleep schedules to avoid fatigue.

It’s also important to remain mindful of the intention behind fasting, which is to draw closer to Allah and do so in a way that doesn’t place undue stress on the body.

It is better to begin with the missed fasts; this is the most virtuous and preferable approach because it relieves the obligation.

Enhance Your Spiritual Journey

Fasting in the month of Shawwal is not just about abstaining from food and drink. It is about taming the body’s desires and training the self to attain a higher moral character. The thoughts one chooses to entertain while fasting in Shawwal, the efforts to control one’s anger, and the increased emphasis on one’s prayers all provide a means for growth for the individual in the personal relationship with their Creator.

Conclusion

Fasting in Shawwal is a choice, but one laden with potential. It offers a bridge between the shared fasting of Ramadan and the days of ordinary living that follow. It is a simple but powerful means to continue the process of self-purification and self-renewal. The six days of Shawwal can be observed starting from the second day of Shawwal, excluding the first day, which is the day of Eid, until the end of the month, either consecutively or intermittently. Therefore, it is recommended that these 6 days of Shawwal fasting be observed. However, if someone does not observe Shawwal fasts, they should not be criticized or condemned, as it is a recommended (mustahabb) fast, with rewards for observing it and no punishment for not observing it.

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