Shawaal – The Six Fasts and More -Fahmida Mehreen

Ramadan is the blessed month of the year when Muslims keep obligatory fasts, pray and make hearty supplications, make dhikr in remembrance of Allah, send blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), make charity, and perform many other acts of nobility to purify their souls and take steps to get closer to Allah. This month is wrapped up with the celebration of Eid Ul Fitr, which is the first day of the 10th month of the Arabic calendar—the month of Shawwal. It is celebrated as a feast, including Eid prayers and the paying of Sadaqat Ul Fitr as a means to compensate for any pitfalls while fasting. It is a festival that unites families and friends to enjoy the reward obtained from observing the month of Ramadan with sheer sincerity.

Besides celebrating Eid Ul Fitr, the month of Shawwal is particularly significant for the six days of fasting after the fasts of Ramadan. As quoted by Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari, Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) says: “Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan and then follows it with six days of fasting in the month of Shawwal, it will be as if he had fasted the year through.” (Sahih Muslim) In order to keep our spirituality uplifted after Ramadan, this is an essential practice and is highly recommended. The closeness to Allah that Ramadan brings can be renewed and kept up throughout the year with these six days of extra non-obligatory fasting. As stated by many scholars and learned men, Allah loves deeds that are done regularly, even if they are small. “The most beloved deed to Allah is the most regular and constant, even if it were little.” (Sahih Bukhari) Thus, fasting in Shawaal brings a sense of holding onto the divine love of Allah.

In the month of Shawaal, there are opportunities to earn ample rewards for worshippers. The voluntary fasts can be kept on any day throughout the month except on the day of Eid Ul Fitr, which is the first day of the month. The significance of these fasts is to offset any deficiencies in the value of our fasts during Ramadan, and they correspond to a year of fasting if accepted by Allah, the Most Merciful. Besides fasting, this month is a chance to keep up with the good habits that were built during Ramadan. It acts as a reminder to our mind, body, and soul to strive on the path of Allah at all times, not just for the 30 days of Ramadan followed by the 6 fasts of Shawaal. Rather, it becomes a part of our daily lives and character, which is the purpose of Ramadan.

As explained by Islamic scholars of different times, fasting during Shawaal followed by fasting in Ramadan is like observing a year of fasting because Allah has promised to multiply the rewards of the good deeds by 10 folds. Therefore, fasting in Ramadan is equivalent to fasting for 10 months, while fasting in Shawaal is the same as fasting for 2 months. Isn’t that just amazing math?

Besides the extra reward of fasting throughout the year, fasting and keeping up with the essence of Ramadan come with additional virtues. The fasts of Shaban and Shawwal are compared to Sunnah prayers, which helps to negate any deficiencies in our obligatory worships. On the day of judgement, our voluntary worships will stand up for us and fill in the gaps that were made in compulsory worships and duties. As humans, we are all prone to making mistakes, knowingly or unknowingly, and so this opportunity to make up for our faults should not be missed. At the same time, returning to the fast right after Ramadan is an indication of our devotion to Allah’s commands and increases the likelihood of acceptance of our fasts. As the saying goes, “The reward of virtue is further virtue.” Hence, following one good deed with another is believed to be an indication of acceptance from Allah. On the contrary, if a person’s good deed is shadowed by a sinful one, it may act as an indication that the first good deed may not have been accepted.

Those fasting in the month of Ramadan receive their worldly reward through the celebration and festivity of Eid ul Fitr. Getting back to fasting is a way of thanking Allah for all the rewards and blessings He has bestowed upon us during Ramadan and even other times. The greatest of all blessings is forgiveness of previous sins, and most Muslims are aware that the fasts of Ramadan are requited with forgiveness of one’s previous sins.

Every blessing from Allah we receive—that rice on our plate, that comfortable bed, that umbrella during the rain—must be thanked for. Allah appreciates gratitude, and showing thankfulness towards Allah is a great form of worship. It is as good as paying thousands to charity. However, there is no end to this, and we can never be thankful enough, as Allah is the Supreme. Regardless, acknowledging that there is no end to this opens the door for further blessings and rewards to enter our way.

Fasting and carrying out virtuous acts in Shawaal later helps an individual seek guidance from Allah and lead a pious life away from sins and under the mercy of Allah. Some people choose to perform Umrah during this month, as it is believed to be sacred in compliance with Islamic laws. There are two types of Umrah: Umrah Al Tamattu and Umrah Al Mufradah. Umrah Al Mufradah can be performed by Muslims anytime during the year, including Dhul Hijjah, Dhul Qadah, and Shawwal.

Historically, there are various facts that make Shawaal particularly noteworthy. The iconic battle of Uhud and Hunayn took place in the month of Shawaal, while the 13th of Shawwal, 194 AH, is the birthdate of popular Islamic scholar Imam al-Bukhari. Henceforth, the month of Shawaal is yet another month of celebration after the holy month of Ramadan. Let us make the best use of it through fasting and good practices that will vouch for us on the Day of Resurrection. May Allah give us all the opportunity to seek Allah’s boundless rewards.