Question 50 : Eid Mubarak Shaykh, Taqabbal allaahu minna wa minkum, May Allaah accept from us, and from you.

I have a question in regards to the 6 days voluntary fasts of Shawwal. The Prophet (SAW) mentions in the hadith, whovever fasts the month of Ramadaan then follows it with fasting 6 days in Shawwal shall get the reward of as if they fasted the entire year. Because we only fasted 29 days this year for Ramadaan, would that suggest we fast 1 extra day in Shawwaal in addition to the 6?

Answer: Walaikumussalam Brother,

عيد مبارك for you also and

تقبل الله منا ومنكم

and jazakallahukhair for your dua.

No we would not fast an extra day in addition to 6 days of shawwal due to Ramadan being 29 days because Allah will add the reward of another day fast as it was He who decreed it to be sometimes 29 and sometimes 30 days. So 29 days fast plus 6 days in Shawwal multiplied by 10 times the reward per fast equals 350 days of fast. And the lunar calendar has about 354 to 355 days a year. So it is a matter of rounding up to the nearest ten that is from Allah.

We know this because the Messenger of Allah – the Prophet Muhammed (s.a.w) said whoever fast Ramadan then follows it up with six is as though he fasted for ever. So note that Prophet (s.a.w) required us to fast Ramadan plus six and he did not say 30 in Ramadan plus six.

So, basically, if we do what Allah encouraged us to do, He will give the reward that He promised us to. Allah only encouraged fast of Ramadan plus 6 days in Shawwal.