1- What is the extent of the religious basis for of fasting six days during Shawwal (i.e., the six ‘white’ days) and what is their reward?

2- It is permissible to combine the intention of fasting them with the intention of making up missed days?

3- Is it a condition that one fast them consecutively?




It was related from Abu Ayyub al-Ansari that the Prophet said, "Whoever fasts Ramadan and follows it with six days of Shawwal, it is as though he has fasted the entire year." The opinion of many scholars is that fasting these days is a sunnah. Combined with the days of Ramadan, a Muslim who fasts these days [of Shawwal] is considered to have fasted the entire year. This is based on the fact that he has fasted 36 days, and Allah rewards each good deed with ten times its value, so through this he has fasted 360 days – the number of days in a [lunar] year.

Shawwal to Ramadan is similar to the relationship of the voluntary prayers which precede and come immediately after an obligatory prayer to that obligatory prayer, just as fasting six days of Sha‘ban is similar to the relationship of the voluntary prayers which precede an obligatory prayer: it mends any imperfection that occurred in the obligatory action. It [also] shows that the fast of Ramadan has been accepted – if Allah wills – since an indication that an act of worship has been accepted is its being followed with another act of worship. And it also shows that the servant has not become bored with obedience and thus sets out to fast yet again immediately after breaking the fast for the day of ‘Eid, the day of celebration.

It is not a condition that one fast these days consecutively. For example, one could distribute them over the month of Shawwal: on Mondays and Thursdays, or the three days of the full moon (e.g., the 13th, 14th, and 15th of every lunar month) – even though fasting them immediately after ‘Eid is best.

It is preferable for a Muslim who is able to first fast days missed during Ramadan because of the hadith “A debt owed Allah has more right to be fulfilled.” According to Shafi‘i jurists, one can combine the intention of making up [days missed in Ramadan] with the intention of fasting the six days of Shawwal. It is also permissible to start fasting the six days of Shawwal and delay fasting the missed days of Ramadan provided that one completes them before the upcoming Ramadan.

The intention for fasting those days can be made at any time before noon provided one has not done anything that voids fasting. Such is the situation with all kinds for voluntary fast, in contrast to obligatory fasts where intention must be made before fajr (dawn).

And Allah Most High knows best.