The six days fast in Shawwal

An-Nawawi also stated that scholars have said that fasting the month of Ramadan and following it with six days from Shawwal  amounts to fasting the entire year. The scholars explain that the total number of days is arrived at based on the fact that a good deed is rewarded tenfold. Therefore, the days of Ramadan […]

An-Nawawi also stated that scholars have said that fasting the month of Ramadan and following it with six days from Shawwal  amounts to fasting the entire year. The scholars explain that the total number of days is arrived at based on the fact that a good deed is rewarded tenfold. Therefore, the days of Ramadan fast are equivalent to 10 months and the six days of Shawwal are equivalent to two months.
The six days to be fasted are specific to Shawwal due to the month’s proximity to the month of Ramadan – therefore these days serve to compensate for deficiencies committed during the previous month.
The earlier hadith promises a great reward for the six fasts of the month of Shawwal and Muslims are strongly enjoined to utilise this great opportunity to be worthy of this fantastic recompense from their Creator, Allah (swt).
It is recommended that the fasts start from the 2nd of Shawwal and observed consistently up to the 7th day, though  staggering them by those who can’t run them at a stretch is also allowed. All that is required is that they  be complete.
The month of Shawwal has also been chosen by Allah (swt) for the celebration of Eid-el-Fitr, one of the only two annual festivals recognized by the Shari’ah. This joyous day is intended by the Shari’ah to serve as a sign of gratitude by the Muslims on the accomplishment of Ramadan and as an immediate reward by Allah for those who spent the month of Ramadan in fasting and performing other forms of worship – Tarawih, Tahajjud, among others.