What does the hadith about the six days of Shawwal say?
It says that Ramadan followed by six days of fasting in Shawwal is like fasting perpetually. Sahih Muslim 1164a reports Abu Ayyub al-Ansari narrating from the Prophet that whoever observes the fast of Ramadan and then follows it with six fasts of Shawwal, it is as if he fasted perpetually. Shawwal is the month that begins with Eid al-Fitr.
The fast is voluntary. The Federal Territory Mufti in Malaysia and Darul Fiqh’s summary both record that the Hanafi, Shafi’i and Hanbali schools regard it as a recommended Sunnah, while Imam Malik’s reported dislike is discussed below. Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta calls it commendable according to many scholars and compares the six days to the voluntary prayers that follow the obligatory ones, filling any shortcomings in the obligatory fast.
Why is fasting six days of Shawwal like fasting a whole year?
Because each good deed is rewarded tenfold. Sunan Ibn Majah 1715, graded sahih by Darussalam on sunnah.com, reports Thawban narrating that whoever fasts six days after the Fitr has completed the year, since whoever does a good deed receives the reward of ten like it, echoing Qur’an 6:160.
The arithmetic is set out in the table. Mufti Muhammad ibn Adam of Darul Iftaa Leicester cites a related report of Thawban, recorded by Ahmad, Ibn Hibban and al-Nasa’i, in which Ramadan equals ten months and the six days equal two months, and notes that this applies whether Ramadan had twenty-nine or thirty days. Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta gives the same total of 360 days.
| Part | Days fasted | Multiplied by ten | Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramadan | 29 or 30 | About 300 days | Ten months |
| Six days of Shawwal | 6 | 60 days | Two months |
| Together | 35 or 36 | About 360 days | A full year |
When can you fast the six days of Shawwal, and must they be consecutive?
Any six days of Shawwal after the day of Eid count according to most scholars, and they need not be consecutive. Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta says that consecutive fasting is not a condition and that the days can be spread through the month, for example on Mondays and Thursdays or on the thirteenth to the fifteenth, although it is best to begin immediately after Eid.
Darul Fiqh’s summary records that the Shafi’i school recommends fasting them consecutively, citing a report in al-Tabarani, while Hanafi and Hanbali scholars leave the order to the individual, grade that report weak and note that the hadith in Sahih Muslim is unrestricted. It suggests fasting them consecutively where possible to respect both views. Imam Malik’s position is different and is explained in the next section.
| School | Ruling reported | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Hanafi | Recommended | Any days in Shawwal, together or separately |
| Maliki | Imam Malik reported as disliking it; later Malikis narrow the dislike | Avoid anything that makes the days look like part of Ramadan |
| Shafi’i | Recommended | Preferably six consecutive days straight after Eid |
| Hanbali | Recommended | Any days in Shawwal, together or separately |
Why did Imam Malik dislike fasting the six days of Shawwal?
His concern was that people might come to treat the six days as part of Ramadan. Muwatta Malik records him saying that he had never seen people of knowledge and fiqh fasting them and had not heard it from the early generations, and that scholars disliked it for fear that uninformed people would attach to Ramadan what does not belong to it.
The Federal Territory Mufti explains that the Maliki school weighs the practice of the people of Madinah alongside hadith narrated through single chains, and records later Maliki clarifications: al-Dasuqi limited the dislike to cases where confusion with Ramadan is feared or where someone believes the reward depends on fasting the days continuously, and al-Baji cites Mutarrif permitting the fast as an act of worship. The other three schools accept the hadith as sufficient evidence, and the Mufti’s office judges that the original concern no longer applies today.
Should you make up missed Ramadan fasts before the six days of Shawwal?
It is better to make them up first where you can, but the schools differ on whether you must. Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta prefers making up missed days first because a debt owed to Allah has more right to be fulfilled, while allowing the six days first provided the missed days are made up before the next Ramadan. Darul Iftaa Leicester adds that the hadith speaks of fasting Ramadan and then following it, so completing the make-up fasts first secures the specific reward of a whole year.
IslamWeb’s comparative fatwa reports that most Hanafi, Maliki and Shafi’i scholars permit voluntary fasts before making up Ramadan, the Hanafis without reservation and the Malikis and Shafi’is with some dislike. Hanbali texts record the view that a voluntary fast is not valid while Ramadan fasts are owed, based on a report whose authenticity is disputed, and another narration from Imam Ahmad permits it. Make-up fasts themselves are not tied to Shawwal: Qur’an 2:184 speaks of other days, and Sahih al-Bukhari 1950 records Aisha making up her missed days in Sha’ban.
Can you combine make-up fasts with the six days of Shawwal?
Some scholars allow it on conditions, but fasting them separately is generally described as better. Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta reports the Shafi’i view, following al-Ramli, that someone who makes up missed Ramadan days during Shawwal fulfils the obligation and also obtains the reward of the six days; it advises intending only the make-up fast, with the Shawwal reward following from the timing.
Mufti Muhammad ibn Adam of Darul Iftaa Leicester, writing in the Hanafi school, allows combining provided the principal intention is the make-up fast, with the Shawwal reward hoped for as a secondary intention. He notes that some scholars hold that the reward of a voluntary fast is not obtained this way, so making up the missed fasts and then fasting six further days remains better. Given the Hanbali caution described above, ask your teacher before combining.
- Make up missed days first, then fast six more: the course most of the cited answers prefer.
- Fast the six days first and make up missed days before the next Ramadan: allowed by Dar al-Ifta and, in IslamWeb’s summary, by most Hanafi, Maliki and Shafi’i scholars.
- Make up missed days in Shawwal hoping for the Shawwal reward as well: the Shafi’i view reported by Dar al-Ifta, and a Hanafi view with the make-up as the main intention.
What about women who missed days of Ramadan because of their period?
Women make up the fasts missed during menstruation, and the six days of Shawwal remain open to them. Sahih Muslim 335c records Aisha explaining that when they menstruated they were ordered to make up the fasts but not the prayers.
Because several days may be owed, Shawwal can feel crowded. Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta, answering a question from women specifically, gives the Shafi’i view that making up missed days in Shawwal also earns the reward of the six days. Other scholars prefer the make-up days first and then six separate fasts, while the Hanafi position in IslamWeb’s summary allows the six days first. Sahih al-Bukhari 1950 shows that Aisha sometimes delayed her make-up fasts until Sha’ban, so there is no need to crowd them into Shawwal at the cost of your health.
How can you plan the six days of Shawwal?
Begin on the second of Shawwal at the earliest, because fasting on Eid itself is forbidden. Sahih al-Bukhari 1990 records Umar reporting that the Prophet forbade fasting on the day you break your fast and on the day you eat your sacrifice, and Sahih al-Bukhari 1991 adds Abu Sa’id’s report of the prohibition on both Eids. Then choose a pattern you can keep.
For a voluntary fast, Dar al-Ifta says the intention may be made before midday provided nothing that breaks the fast has been done, unlike make-up fasts, which need an intention before dawn; the schools differ on this detail, so follow yours. Check the expected end of Shawwal on the calendar and your local announcement, and take suhoor and iftar times from a reliable local timetable.
- Straight after Eid: six consecutive days from the second of Shawwal, the preference reported for the Shafi’i school.
- Weekly: Mondays and Thursdays through the month, an example Dar al-Ifta gives.
- White days: the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth of Shawwal plus three other days.
- Make-up first: complete missed Ramadan days, then add six more before the month ends.
Quran passages in this guide
Read each complete verse below in Arabic and the identified English interpretation. Follow the context link before drawing conclusions from an isolated verse.
Al-An’aam 6:160. A good deed brings tenfold the like of it.
مَن جَآءَ بِٱلْحَسَنَةِ فَلَهُۥ عَشْرُ أَمْثَالِهَا ۖ وَمَن جَآءَ بِٱلسَّيِّئَةِ فَلَا يُجْزَىٰٓ إِلَّا مِثْلَهَا وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ ١٦٠
Whoever comes [on the Day of Judgement] with a good deed will have ten times the like thereof [to his credit], and whoever comes with an evil deed will not be recompensed except the like thereof; and they will not be wronged.
Translation: Saheeh International · Read in context
Al-Baqara 2:184. Fasting a set number of days, with missed days made up on other days.
أَيَّامًا مَّعْدُودَٰتٍ ۚ فَمَن كَانَ مِنكُم مَّرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ ۚ وَعَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ يُطِيقُونَهُۥ فِدْيَةٌ طَعَامُ مِسْكِينٍ ۖ فَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًا فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّهُۥ ۚ وَأَن تَصُومُوا۟ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ ١٨٤
[Fasting for] a limited number of days. So whoever among you is ill or on a journey [during them] - then an equal number of days [are to be made up]. And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship] - a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person [each day]. And whoever volunteers excess - it is better for him. But to fast is best for you, if you only knew.
Translation: Saheeh International · Read in context
Al-Baqara 2:185. Completing the number of days and glorifying Allah for His guidance.
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ ٱلْقُرْءَانُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَـٰتٍ مِّنَ ٱلْهُدَىٰ وَٱلْفُرْقَانِ ۚ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ ٱلشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ ۖ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ ۗ يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ بِكُمُ ٱلْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ ٱلْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُوا۟ ٱلْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَىٰكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ ١٨٥
The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.
Translation: Saheeh International · Read in context
Questions readers often ask
Can I start the six fasts of Shawwal on the day of Eid?
No. Sahih al-Bukhari 1990 and 1991 report that the Prophet forbade fasting on the days of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, so the six days start from the second of Shawwal at the earliest, counted from your local Eid.
Do the six days of Shawwal have to be consecutive?
No, according to Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta and the Hanafi and Hanbali positions summarised by Darul Fiqh. The Shafi’i school prefers consecutive days straight after Eid, so if you are able, fasting them together satisfies both views.
Do I still get the reward if Ramadan was only 29 days?
Yes. Darul Iftaa Leicester explains that the reward of a whole year applies to fasting the whole of Ramadan, whether it has twenty-nine or thirty days, followed by the six days of Shawwal.
Can I fast the six days on Mondays and Thursdays?
Yes. Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta gives Mondays and Thursdays, and the thirteenth to the fifteenth of the month, as examples of spreading the six days through Shawwal, since fasting them consecutively is not a condition.
Is fasting the six days of Shawwal a bid’ah because Imam Malik disliked it?
No. The Hanafi, Shafi’i and Hanbali schools regard it as a recommended Sunnah on the basis of Sahih Muslim 1164a. The Federal Territory Mufti explains that Imam Malik’s dislike was tied to the fear of people treating it as part of Ramadan, and that later Maliki scholars narrowed it.
Can women combine their make-up fasts with the six days of Shawwal?
Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta, answering this exact question, gives the Shafi’i view that making up missed Ramadan days in Shawwal fulfils the obligation and earns the reward of the six days, with the make-up as the intention. Other scholars consider separate fasts better, so ask your teacher.
Sources
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Sahih Muslim 1164a Primary text
Ramadan followed by six fasts of Shawwal is as if fasting perpetually.
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Sunan Ibn Majah 1715 Primary text
Six days after the Fitr complete the year, since a good deed brings ten like it; graded sahih (Darussalam) on the page.
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Qur’an 6:160 Primary text
A good deed rewarded tenfold; rendered on this page from the verified local corpus.
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Qur’an 2:184-185 Primary text
Missed days made up on other days, and completing the number of days.
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Sahih al-Bukhari 1990 Primary text
Umar reports the prohibition of fasting on the day of breaking the fast and the day of eating the sacrifice.
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Sahih al-Bukhari 1991, 1992 Primary text
Abu Sa’id reports the prohibition of fasting on Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
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Sahih al-Bukhari 1950 Primary text
Aisha making up missed Ramadan days in Sha’ban.
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Sahih Muslim 335c Primary text
Menstruating women were ordered to make up missed fasts but not prayers.
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Muwatta Malik, Book 18: Fasting Primary text
The final section of the book: Malik’s remarks on fasting six days after Ramadan.
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Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta: Fasting Six Days of the Month of Shawwal Scholarly guidance
Merit, the tenfold count, non-consecutive days, making up missed fasts first and the time for intention.
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Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta: Making Up the Missed Fast Days During the Six Days of Shawwal Scholarly guidance
The Shafi’i view, following al-Ramli, that make-up fasts in Shawwal also earn the reward of the six days.
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IslamQA (Hanafi, Darul Fiqh): The Fiqh of the Six Fasts of Shawwal Comparative scholarly guidance
The positions of the four schools on the ruling and whether the days should be consecutive.
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Federal Territory Mufti, Malaysia: Irsyad al-Fatwa Series 235 on Why Imam Malik Ruled It Makruh to Fast Six Days in Shawwal Scholarly guidance
Imam Malik’s reasons, later Maliki clarifications and the view of the other three schools.
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IslamQA (Hanafi, Darul Iftaa Leicester): Combining Make-up (Qadha) Fasts with the Six Days Fasts of Shawwal Scholarly guidance
Mufti Muhammad ibn Adam on combining intentions, the tenfold explanation and making up missed fasts first.
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IslamWeb Fatwa 3718: Voluntary Fasts Before Making Up Days Missed in Ramadan Comparative reference
School positions on fasting the six days of Shawwal while Ramadan fasts are owed.
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The Deen Map Hijri calendar Planning tool
A calculated civil Hijri calendar for planning; observed dates can differ with local moon sighting.
Qur’an Arabic: Tanzil (CC BY 3.0). English: Saheeh International (via Tanzil).