Alhamdulillah, we’ve been blessed with one more Ramadan this yr. As we rejoice Eid within the new regular, let’s proceed to maintain up the extremely rewarded deeds that we’ve practiced throughout Ramadan, reminiscent of studying the Quran, qiyamullail (waking up earlier than daybreak for prayers) and fasting.
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For Muslims, fasting six days within the month of Shawwal is sunnah. It’s a really helpful act that doesn’t solely carry a number of well being advantages but in addition a magnitude of rewards for many who practise it.
Listed below are the 5 issues you might want to learn about this particular sunnah.
1) Fasting six days in Shawwal is like fasting all year long
The immense reward of fasting six days of Shawwal is defined in a hadith narrated by Abu Ayyub, “Whoever fasts the months of Ramadan after which follows it with six days of fasting within the month of Shawwal, it will likely be as if he has fasted the yr by way of.” (Sahih Muslim).
It is because, Allah stated in Surah Al-An’am verse 160, “Whoever comes with an excellent deed will obtain ten occasions as a lot.” Since one’s good deed is multiplied by tenfold, fasting within the month of Ramadan is like fasting for 10 months and fasting six days within the month of Shawwal is like fasting for 60 days (two months). When the 2 are added up, it makes as much as one yr.
The Prophet defined, “Whoever fasts six days after the Fitr may have accomplished the yr, for whoever does an excellent deed may have the reward of ten prefer it.” (Sunan Ibn Majah).
2) Are you able to quick any six days of Shawwal?
You’ll be able to quick on any day within the month of Shawwal besides on the primary day itself. It is because fasting on the primary day of Eid is prohibited in Islam. A’isha, the spouse of the Prophet Muhammad stated, “The Prophet forbade us to look at quick on two days: the day of Fitr and the day of Adha.” (Sahih Muslim)
The rationale of that is defined in a hadith narrated by Abu ‘Ubaid, “The Messenger of Allah forbade fasting on these two days, the day of Fitr and the day of Adha. As for the day of Fitr, it’s the day once you break your quick, and on the day of Adha you eat the meat of your sacrifices.” (Musnad Ahmad)
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3) Do you need to quick for six consecutive days in Shawwal?
There are a few opinions from respected Islamic students and appreciable flexibility on this. In accordance with Imam Shafie, it’s preferable to quick the six days in a consecutive order, ranging from the second day of Shawwal.
However, different students together with Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal are of the opinion that it is suggested to quick the six days intermittently, spreading them out all through the month of Shawwal.
Whether or not you quick six days consecutively or in any other case, you will need to be aware that each acts are accepted by Allah.
4) Are you able to mix your missed quick days of Ramadan with the sunnah fasting?
It’s permissible for girls to make up for his or her missed quick days of Ramadan through the month of Shawwal to acquire the rewards for fasting six days of Shawwal.
Nevertheless, the intention needs to be for making up for what you have got missed from Ramadan and never for fasting six days of Shawwal.
In accordance with Shafi’i students, whoever fasts the missed days of Ramadan concurrently with the six days of Shawwal have fulfilled their non secular obligation in addition to acquire the reward for fasting the six days from Shawwal.
In brief, so long as you quick six days of Shawwal, whether or not the first intention is to make up for the missed fasts or for the sunnah itself, you’re going to get the rewards of fasting six days of Shawwal. Certainly, Allah is the Most Beneficiant and the Most Merciful.

5) Some well being advantages of fasting, backed by science
Apart from the immense rewards one would get from six-day sunnah fasting, fasting has numerous well being advantages too. Consultants say limiting meals consumption through the day might help forestall well being issues, enhance weight administration and regenerate more healthy blood cells.
In accordance with a Nutritionist Claire Mahy, “Fasting permits the intestine to cleanse and strengthen its lining. It could additionally stimulate a course of known as autophagy, which is the place cells self-cleanse and take away broken and harmful particles.”
In different phrases, it’s an effective way to cleanse the human physique and detoxify; enhancing the perform of organs while eliminating any dangerous toxins within the physique.
Glad fasting and keep in mind to remain hydrated by ingesting loads of water throughout sahoor.
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