Questions Concerning the Fasts of Shawwaal

ayman

La Ilaha Illa Allah
Staff member
By the Standing Committee of Major Scholars
DO THE FASTS HAVE TO BE DONE IMMEDIATELY AFTER RAMADAAN?

[Q]: ‘Should fasting the six days be done immediately after Ramadaan, following the day of ’Eed or is it permissible to do it a few days after ’Eed in the month of Shawwaal or not?’

[A]: ‘‘These days do not have to be fasted immediately after ’Eedul-Fitr; it is permissible to start fasting them one or more days after ’Eed, and they may be done consecutively or separately during the month of Shawwaal, according to what is easier for a person. There is plenty of room for maneuver in this matter, and this is not obligatory, it is Sunnah. And Allâh is the Source of strength. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad and his Family and Companions and grant them peace.’’ [1]

THE FASTS OF SHAWWAAL OR THE FASTS OF RAMADAAN?

[Q]: ‘If a person fasts six days of Shawwaal after Ramadaan when he has not yet completed the Ramadaan fast - because he did not fast ten days of Ramadaan for a legitimate reason - will he have the same reward as a person who fasted all of Ramadaan and followed it with six days of Shawwaal. Meaning, will he be like a person who fasted for a lifetime? Please explain to us, may Allaah reward you with good?’

[A]: ‘‘The precise rewards for the deeds which people do for the sake of Allaah is something which is known only to Allaah. If a person seeks the reward from Allaah and strives to obey Him, his reward will not be lost, as Allaah says,

‘‘We shall not make the reward of anyone who does his (righteous) deeds in the most perfect manner to be lost.’’ [Sooratul-Kahf 18:30]

If someone has missed some of the days of Ramadaan, he should fast them first, then fast six days of Shawwaal, because he cannot follow the fast of Ramadaan with six days of Shawwaal unless he has completed his Ramadaan fast. And Allaah is the source of strength. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad and his Family and Companions, and grant them peace.’’ [2]

FASTING THE SIX DAYS OF SHAWWAAL EVERY YEAR:

[Q]: ‘If someone fasts six days of Shawwaal, then one year he gets sick or something prevents him from fasting, or he is too lazy to fast, will there be any sin on him? We have heard that if a person fasts these six days one year, he must never give up this practice thereafter.’

[A]: ‘‘Fasting six days of Shawwaal after the day of ’Eed is Sunnah. It is not waajib (obligatory) on the person who does this once or more often to continue doing it. He is not guilty of a sin if he does not fast these days. And Allaah is the Source of strength. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad and grant him peace.’’ [3]

Footnotes:

[1] Fataawaa al-Lajnatud-Daa‘imah (10/391)

[2] Fataawaa al-Lajnatud-Daa‘imah (10/392)

[3] Fataawaa al-Lajnatud-Daa‘imah (10/391)
 
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