Shawwal, the month following Ramadan, holds great significance in Islam. One of the virtuous acts encouraged in this month is fasting for six days, a practice highlighted in the Hadith. These six fasts can be observed on any day of Shawwal, according to personal preference, except for the first day, which is Eid al-Fitr, when fasting is prohibited. Observing these fasts brings immense rewards and is a way to extend the spiritual benefits gained during Ramadan.
Abu Ayyub Ansari (Radiallahu Anhu) said, the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said:
مَنْ صَامَ رَمَضَانَ ثُمّ أَتْبَعَهُ سِتّا مِنْ شَوّالٍ، كَانَ كَصِيَامِ الدّهْرِ
Whoever fasts during Ramadan and then follows it with six days of Shawwal, it will be equivalent to fasting the whole year. Sahih Muslim 1164, Jame’ Tirmidhi 759
In another Hadith, the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) mentioned it with more details. He said:
صِيَامُ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ بِعَشَرَةِ أَشْهُرٍ وَصِيَامُ سِتّةِ أَيّامٍ مِنْ شَوّالٍ بِشَهْرَيْنِ فَذَلِكَ صِيَامُ سَنَةٍ
Fasting in Ramadan is equivalent to ten months and fasting in six days of Shawwal is equivalent to two months. Therefore, the combination of Ramadan and the six days of Shawwal equals a full year. Sunan al-Kubra, Nasa’i, Hadith 2873; Sahih Ibn Khuzaimah, Hadith 2115; Musnad Ahmad, Hadith 22412
In another narration of the hadith:
جَعَلَ اللهُ الْحَسَنَةَ بِعَشْرٍ فَشَهْرٌ بِعَشَرَةِ أَشْهُرٍ وَسِتّةُ أَيَّامٍ بَعْدَ الْفِطْرِ تَمَامُ السّنَةِ
Allah has made one good deed equal to ten good deeds. So one month (of Ramadan) is equal to ten months and fasting for six days after Eid-ul-Fitr is equivalent to two months. Thus, it is equal to fasting for the whole year. Sunan Nasa’i, Hadith 2874
Allah grants ten rewards for every good deed. Thus, fasting for one day is equivalent to fasting for ten days, while fasting for three days equals one month. Fasting for six days corresponds to two months, and fasting for one month equals ten months. Therefore, anyone who fasts one month of Ramadan along with six days of Shawwal will receive a reward equivalent to an entire year.