Virtues of Fasting Six Days in Shawwal

Someone sent this question: “As-salamu `alaykum. What is the significance of fasting in the month of Shawwal?”

Wa `alaykum as-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

In this fatwa:

Fasting six days in Shawwal has a great reward from Allah Almighty. The reward for fasting six days of Shawwal is like the reward of a person who has fasted a whole year.

Fasting six days of the month of Shawwal is mentioned in a Prophetic hadith. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Whosoever fasted in Ramadan and then followed up with six fasting days of Shawwal, it is like fasting every day.” (Muslim)

The meaning is that the reward is like the reward of a person who had fasted for a whole year. It is highly recommended to fast six days of the month of Shawwal, but it is not obligatory. Those who want to fast can fast after Eid Al-Fitr any six days during Shawwal.

It is not required to fast for six days continuously without any interruption. One can fast according to convenience at any time during the month.