Shawwal

 

Fast for 6 days but reward for 360 days

It is commendable to keep six fasts in the Month of Shawwal (Shawwal is the month that comes after the holy month of Ramadhan). The Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) has said,

“Whoever completes fasts of Ramadhan then adds to them the fasts of six days in the month of Shawwal, it will carry the reward of the full year.” (Sahih Muslim.)

This Hadeeth has described the great reward of six fasts of this month. The Scholars have interpreted this Hadeeth by saying that according to the recognized rules of the Shariah every good deed is rewarded 10 times more reward of its origin, therefore, the reward of 30 days of Ramadhan amounts to the reward of fasting for 300 days. If the fasts of Ramadhan are followed by six more fasts, they carry the reward for 60 days more, raising the aggregate reward to 360 which is the number of days of one year according to Islamic Calendar.

Therefore the Muslims should take this opportunity of acquiring such an enormous reward from Allah. It is more preferable to start these fasts from the 2nd of Shawwal (Day after Eid) and keep fasting to the 7th of it. However, if, they are kept in other days, it is hoped that the requirement of the above hadeeth may also be fulfilled.

(Islamic Months (M. Taqi Uthmani Sahib) P.127- 126.)