6 Days of Shawwal: Significance, rewards and rulings

All that you need to know about the 6 Days of Shawwal 

Introduction 

As we transition from the blessed month of Ramadan , it is important to understand that is month of Shawwal is a time wherein u can sustain all that you have gained over the month of Ramadan. Your salah, duas, fasting etc. are to be cherished and continued.

The Objective of the Month of Shawwal

The month of Shawwal holds a special place in the Islamic calendar—not only because it follows the blessed month of Ramadan, but because it serves as a spiritual checkpoint for believers. After a month of intense worship, discipline, and purification, Shawwal arrives as a test of continuity and sincerity. It asks us: Will we carry what we’ve gained into the rest of the year?

The main objective of Shawwal is to help us maintain the momentum of Ramadan. It’s easy to be consistent in worship when the entire ummah is engaged, when the Masajid are full, and when the atmosphere is charged with Iman. But Shawwal is quieter. It’s more personal. It’s a time to reflect on whether our hearts have truly been transformed by Ramadan, and whether our acts of worship were habits—or heartfelt devotion.

Fasting the six days of Shawwal is one of the clearest examples of this objective. It’s not an obligation, but a sunnah that reflects a deeper desire to stay close to Allah even after the obligatory fasts are done. It's a sign that we’re not just worshipping Allah in seasons, but striving to be His devoted servants year-round.

• The Reward of fasting in Shawwal 

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

 مَنْ صَامَ رَمَضَانَ, ثُمَّ أَتْبَعَهُ سِتًّا مِنْ شَوَّالٍ كَانَ كَصِيَامِ اَلدَّهْر-رَوَاهُ مُسْلِمٌ

"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." Reported by Muslim.

The prophet SAW explained that good deeds are multiplied , even the smallest of them are multiplied by ten. Therefore ,one month of Ramadan multiplied by ten becomes ten months and six days of Shawwal becomes two months that equal to an entire year. 

This is the beauty and gift of this blessed month.

What is the ruling on fasting the 6 days of Shawwal

A common question that arises among the people is: 

What if I have fasts that I didn't fast in Ramadan and need to makeup after Ramadan?

 When should I fast them?

Do I make up the missed days first or fast the 6 days of Shawwal first?

Some of the scholars said that a complete Ramadan means completing fasting of Ramadan ,that the obligatory fasts of Ramadan takes precedence over the voluntary fasting. This ruling works if u have limited amount of fasts. 

However, if u cannot fast the makeup fast of Ramadan in Shawwal due to any sound reason ,Many scholars in fact , the majority of scholars said that you can fast the 6 days of Shawwal and then make up the fast of Ramadan, as the days of fasting Shawwal are limited to the time of Shawwal whereas the days of making up Ramadan fasts extend throughout the year.

Should I fast them consecutively or break them up?

Some of the scholars recommended that the six days should be fasted immediately after the day of Eid-ul-fitr. This is the recommended route as your body is physically adjusted to fasting and it will be easier for you In Shaa Allah .

Other scholars recommend combining the six days of Shawwal with other voluntary fasts such as Mondays and Thursday and/or the 13th,14th,15th which are rewardable days of the month so as to prolong the habit and reap the rewards. However you cannot combine a voluntary fast with an obligatory one. 

 

While you're fasting ,try to do good deeds in other ways , such completing the Quran if you couldn't do it in the month of Ramadan ,giving charity , praying salah in congregation , adhkar etc. 

As we wrap up the six days of Shawwal, we’re reminded that worship doesn’t end with Ramadan—it simply transforms. These six days are a powerful extension of the mercy and blessings of Ramadan, offering us a chance to stay connected to the habits we built and the spiritual clarity we gained during the holy month. Fasting them is like being gifted another opportunity to renew our intentions and recommit to our relationship with Allah.

This is a time not only to seek the reward but to nurture our hearts, develop discipline, and remind ourselves that Allah’s mercy is always within reach.

As we move forward, let us hold on to the goodness we’ve tasted—the quiet mornings of suhoor, the moments of sincere du’a, and the calm that comes with acts of devotion. The six days of Shawwal are a bridge between Ramadan and the rest of the year, helping us sustain the momentum and keep our hearts soft and engaged.

O Allah, accept from us our fasting, our prayers, our charity, and all our efforts done solely for Your sake. Keep us firm in faith, sincere in action, and humble in spirit. Allow these days to be a means of drawing nearer to You, purifying our souls, and attaining Your pleasure. Forgive our shortcomings, guide our hearts, and write us among those who are granted Your Mercy and Jannah. Ameen.