Fasting Six Days In The Month Of Shawwal‏

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Abu Ayyub (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said,

"He who observes As-Saum (the fasts) in the month of Ramadan,

and also observes As-Saum for six days in the month of Shawwal,

it is as if he has observed As-Saum for the whole year.''

[Muslim].

Commentary:

According to the formula that there is at least ten-fold reward for

every virtue, the Saum of one month (Ramadan) are equivalent to Saum

of ten months. If one also observes six days of Saum of Shawwal, they

will be equal to Saum of two months. Thus, one becomes eligible for

the reward of one full years' Saum. He who makes it a permanent feature

is like one who observes Saum throughout his life. He will be considered

by Allah as one who observes Saum permanently. Although voluntary in nature,

they are highly important. One can observe these six-day Saum at a stretch

or with intervals, but their observance one after the other at the beginning

of the month is better. Similarly, if a person has missed some Saum of Ramadan

due to illness, travelling etc., he should first make up the shortfall and

then observe the voluntary six-day Saum of Shawwal.