The act of fasting may have concluded, but it doesn’t mean our worship has ended, for true worship continues until our last breath.
Therefore, let us not forget, for the perfection of our Ramadan fasting, to have the zeal to fast the six days of Shawwal as mentioned in the hadith narrated by Abu Ayyub al-Ansari:
From Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever fasts Ramadan and follows it with six days of Shawwal, it will be as if he fasted for a lifetime.” (Narrated by Muslim)
عَنْ أبِي أَيُّوْبَ اْلأَنْصَارِيِّ – رضي الله عنه – أَنَّ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ – صلى الله عليه و سلّم- قَالَ: مَنْ صَامَ رَمَضَانَ ثُمَ أَْتبَعَهُ سِتًّا مِنْ شَوَّالٍ كَانَ كَصِيَامِ الدَهْرِ
This hadith indicates the recommendation of fasting six days in the month of Shawwal, both for men and women. This is the consensus of the majority of scholars, as narrated from Ibn Abbas, Ka’b al-Ahbar, Sha’bi, Thawus, Maimun bin Mihran, Abdullah bin Mubarak, Ahmad bin Hanbal, and Shafi’i.
Read More : What is Ramadan: Significance, Fasting, and Its Impact on Kids
Benefits of shawwal fasting
Benefits of Fasting Shawwal Remember, my brothers and sisters, that observing fasts after Ramadan carries several significant benefits, including:
- Fasting the six days of Shawwal after Ramadan equals the reward of fasting for an entire year.
- Fasting Shawwal and Sha’ban can be likened to the Sunnah rawatib prayers before and after obligatory prayers, as they serve to make up for any deficiencies in the obligatory fasts.
- Fasting Shawwal signifies that Allah has accepted one’s Ramadan fasts, as when Allah accepts a servant’s deeds, He grants them the ability to engage in righteous acts thereafter.
- Fasting Shawwal is an expression of gratitude after Allah has forgiven one’s sins through the fast of Ramadan.
- Fasting Shawwal demonstrates one’s commitment to performing righteous deeds, as these deeds continue even after Ramadan ends, as long as one is alive.
Shawwal fasting Does not have to be sequential
Not Necessarily Consecutive It’s important to note, dear brothers and sisters, that fasting the Sunnah six days of Shawwal does not have to be done consecutively immediately after Eid al-Fitr. As long as these days are fasted within the month of Shawwal, it is permissible.
Ash-Shon’ani said, “Know that the reward of fasting can be obtained whether it is done consecutively or separately, whether it starts right after Eid or in the middle of the month.”
This is the correct opinion. You are free to fast these days consecutively or separately, at the beginning, middle, or end of Shawwal. However, it is more virtuous to do so soon after Eid.
In conclusion, we can dispel the misconception that some people hold, believing that fasting the Sunnah of Shawwal must commence on the second day after Eid, or else the fast would be in vain. This is not true!
However, if you have any missed Ramadan fasts to make up, it is essential to fulfill those obligations before observing the Sunnah fasts of Shawwal. As Al-Hafiz Ibn Rajab stated, “Anyone who has outstanding Ramadan fasts and then begins fasting the six days of Shawwal will not attain the same merit as someone who first completes their Ramadan fasts.”
Share this knowledge with others, and perhaps your encouragement will inspire them to follow suit, allowing you to earn rewards through their deeds.
Source : Muslim.or.id