Shawwal is the 10th month of the Islamic calendar, following on from the holy month of Ramadan.
The Virtue of Fasting 6 days in shawwal
Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
Whoever fasts during the month of Ramadan and then follows it with six days of Shawwal will be (rewarded) as if he had fasted the entire year.
Muslim
Imam Nawawi mentions that Shawwal is specified for this reward due to it coming immediately after Ramadan. A time when the desire for food is increased and fasting is more difficult. Thus the reward of fasting in Shawwal is multiplied.
Imam Nawawi mentions the scholars have said,
The reward of fasting is like the reward of fasting for a whole year, as rewards are multiplied by 10. Thus fasting in Ramadan is equivalent to fasting 10 months, and the 6 of Shawwal are equivalent to 2 months.
The 6 fasts of shawwal are like sunnah and nafl prayers
The fasts of Sha’ban and Shawwal, which fall before and after Ramadan, can be likened to the sunnah and nafl prayers which are performed before and after fardh salah. Any deficiencies from our obligatory salah and sawm (fasting) are completed through the performance of these additional sunnah and nafl actions.
the fasting of 6 days of shawwal are a sign of acceptance
Having the ability to fast the 6 days of Shawwal is a sign that our Ramadan has been accepted. Indeed when Allah accepts the action of His slave, he grants him the ability to carry out righteous deeds after it. As some have said:
ثواب الحسنة حسنة بعدها
The reward of good deeds, is performing good deeds after it
A means of gratitude
Fasting 6 days in Shawwal is a way of expressing our gratitude to Allah for giving us Ramadan, and granting us the ability to perform worship therein.
Some of the pious predecessors, when they were able to perform the night prayer would fast the following day. Why did they fast the following day? They fasted out of gratitude to Allah for granting them the ability to perform the night prayer.
Although Ramadan is finished, the good deeds which we performed during Ramadan do not need to finish. Remaining obedient to Allah is a sign that our fasting and worship in Ramadan were not in vain. Therefore, let us strive to carry on the good deeds which we performed during Ramadan. Let us strive to refrain from the bad deeds which we refrained from during Ramadan.
Continue giving sadaqah
Many of us performed extra worship during the month of Ramadan. This came in the form of reading more Quran, performing extra prayers, and giving more charity. An easy way for you to continue giving charity is by making a regular contribution to the Sadaqah Jariyah Foundation. Your donations will be put towards different Sadaqah Jariyah projects over the course of the year, and you can continue to earn the rewards of this blessed sadaqah even after you pass away.
