The virtue of fasting six days of Shawwaal

A Thread

Fasting six days of Shawwaal after the obligatory fast of Ramadaan is Sunnah Mustahabbah, not waajib. It is recommended for the Muslim to fast six days of Shawwaal, and in this there is great virtue and an immense reward. Whoever fasts these six days will have recorded for him..

Whoever fasts these six days will have recorded for him a reward as if he had fasted a whole year. Abu Ayyoob (RA) reported that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)said: Whoever fasts Ramadaan and follows it with six days of Shawwaal, it will be as if he fasted for a lifetime.

Hanbali and Shaafa’i fuqaha’ explained “fasting six days of Shawal after fasting Ramadaan makes it as if one has fasted for an entire year of obligatory fasts, bec the multiplication of the reward applies even to naafil fasts, because each hasanah brings the reward of ten like it

Another of the important benefits of fasting six days of Shawwaal is that is 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.

On the Day of Resurrection, some of his naafil deeds will be taken to make up the shortcomings in his obligatory deeds, as the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: The first thing for which people will be brought to account on the Day of Resurrection will be their salah.

Our Lord, may He be glorified and exalted, will say to His angels – although He knows best – ‘Look at the salah of My slave, whether it is complete or incomplete.’ If it is perfect, it will be recorded as perfect, and if something is lacking, He will say....

Look and see whether My slave did any voluntary (naafil) prayers.’ If he did some voluntary prayers, [Allaah] will say, Complete the obligatory actions of My slave from his voluntary actions. Then all his actions will be dealt with in a similar manner.”

(Narrated by Abu Dawood).