|
 In
the Name of Allah, Most
Gracious, Most Merciful
Shawwaal
Abu Ayyoob (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the
Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said:{Whoever fasts Ramadaan and follows it with six days of
Shawwaal, it will be as if he fasted for a lifetime.} (Narrated
by Muslim, Abu Dawood, al-Tirmidhi, al-Nisaa’i and Ibn Maajah).
Fasting six days of Shawwaal after the obligatory fast of
Ramadaan is Sunnah Mustahabbah, not waajib (not obligatory.) It
is recommended for the Muslim to fast six days of Shawwaal, and
in this there is great virtue and an immense reward. Whoever
fasts these six days will have recorded for him a reward as if
he had fasted a whole year.
It is not a necessary condition that they should be fasted
consecutively. If one fast them separately or consecutively, it
is Okay. However, the sooner one do them, the better, because
Allaah says (interpretation of the meanings):{so compete in
good deeds [al-Maaidah 5:48]
Regarding what should a woman do first, fast the six
recommended days or fast equivalent to the days she missed in
Ramadan due to her monthly period. Scholars believe that, if
she wants to earn the reward mentioned in the hadeeth of the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), “Whoever
fasts Ramadaan then follows it with six days of Shawwaal, it
will be as if he fasted for a lifetime” (reported by Muslim,
no. 1984), then she should complete her Ramadaan fasts first,
then follow it with six days of Shawwaal, so that the hadeeth
with be applicable to her too, and she will gain the reward
mentioned in it. As regards the matter of permissibility, it is
permissible for her to delay making up her Ramadaan fasts,
provided that she makes them up before the next Ramadaan comes
along.
Why Fast?
1. As we mentioned early that fasting Ramadan and following
itwith six days of shawaal will have recorded for him a reward
as if he had fasted a whole year. Scholars explain the meaning
of fasting all life by saying that the good deed (hassanat) is
rewarded 10 times its value. So if an one fasts Ramadan then it
will be as if he fasted 10 months, Moreover fasting the 6 days
equals fasting 60 days (2 months). So the total sum is 12
months, i.e. a complete year. As if one fasted the whole year.
2. Another important benefit is that it makes up for any
shortfall in a person's obligatory Ramadaan fasts, because no
one is free of shortcomings or sins that have a negative effect
on his fasting. On the Day of Resurrection, some of his naafil
deeds will be taken to make up the shortcomings in his
obligatory deeds, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah
be upon him) said: “The first thing for which people will be
brought to account on the Day of Resurrection will be their
salaah (prayer). Our Lord, may He be glorified and exalted,
will say to His angels – although He knows best – ‘Look at the
salaah of My slave, whether it is complete or incomplete.’ If
it is perfect, it will be recorded as perfect, and if something
is lacking, He will say, ‘Look and see whether My slave did any
voluntary (naafil) prayers.’ If he did some voluntary prayers,
[Allaah] will say, Complete the obligatory actions of My slave
from his voluntary actions.’ Then all his actions will be dealt
with in a similar manner.” (Narrated by Abu Dawood).
|