• Shawwaal is the Islamic month after Ramadhân, the first day being Eid al-Fitr.
- Fasting six days of Shawwaal is Sunnah Mustahabbah, It is recommended
• There is great virtue and an immense reward.
• Whoever fasts these six days will have recorded for him a reward as if he had fasted a whole year
Shawwaal in the british calendar in this year 2010 starts from 10th sept - 09 oct 2010
Abu Ayyoob (may Allâh be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allâh (peace and blessings of Allâh be upon him) said:
"Whoever fasts Ramadhân and follows it with six days of Shawwaal, it will be as if he fasted for a lifetime." (Narrated by Muslim, Abu Dawood, al-Tirmidhi, al-Nisaa'i and Ibn Maajah).
• It is vital we do these extra fasts, because THESE EXTRA NAFL GOOD DEEDS WILL WIPE OUT THE SINS THAT WE COMMIT DURING THE YEAR. WE ALL KNOW THAT NONE OF US WILL NOT BE FREE FROM SIN THE REST OF THE YEAR SO THIS WILL HELP US GAIN JANNAH.
As the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allâh be upon him) said:
"The first thing for which people will be brought to account on the Day of Resurrection will be their salaah (prayer). Our Lord, may He be glorified and exalted, will say to His angels - although He knows best - 'Look at the salaah 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, [Allâh] 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).
And Allâh knows best.
When should a Muslim start fasting six days of Shawwaal?
• You can start fasting six days of Shawwaal from the second day of Shawwaal, because it is haraam to fast on the day of Eid.
• You can fast the six days at any time during Shawwaal, although the best of good deeds are those which are done soonest.
The standing committee received the following question:
Should fasting the six days be done immediately after Ramadhân, following the day of Eid or is it permissible to do it a few days after Eid in the month of Shawwaal or not?
They replied as follows:
These days do not have to be fasted immediately after Eid al-Fitr; it is permissible to start fasting them one or more days after Eid, 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 Allâh bless our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions and grant them peace. Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa'imah, 10/391 •