Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:
He who observed the fast of Ramadan and then followed it with six (fasts) of Shawwal. it would be as if he fasted for the entire year.
(Sahih Muslim 1164 a)
"A person who fasted the entire month of Ramadan can start fasting these six days after Eid days. If he does so. he'll be rewarded for fasting the entire year. In Shaa Allah,
Whoever missed any fasts of Ramadan due to any reasons, he'll have to make up those fasts first and then he can fast
These six fasts of Shawwal."
Is Shawwal fasting obligatory?
Fasting six days of Shawwal after the obligatory fast of Ramadan is Sunnah Mustahabbah, not wajib. It is recommended for the Muslim to fast six days of Shawwal , and in this there is great virtue and an immense reward.
Another of the important benefits of fasting six days of Shawwal is that it makes up for any shortfall in a person's obligatory Ramadan fasts, because no one is free of shortcomings or sins that have a negative effect on his fasting.
When to Start Shawwal Fasting
You can start fasting six days of Shawwal from the second day of Shawwal because it is haram to fast on the day of 'Eid. You can fast the six days at any time during Shawwal, although the best of good deeds are those which are done soonest.
Should Fasting Six Days of Shawwal Be Consecutive?
It is not a necessary condition that the six days of Shawwal should be fasted consecutively. If you fast them separately or consecutively, it is OK.
Should Women Start With Making up Missed Fasts or Shawwal Fasting?
If she wants to earn the reward mentioned in the hadith of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), "Whoever fasts Ramadan then follows it with six days of Shawwal , it will be as if he fasted for a lifetime" (Muslim, no. 1984), then she should complete her Ramadan fasts first, then follow it with six days of Shawwal , so that the hadith will 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 Ramadan fasts , provided that she makes them up before the next Ramadan comes along.
And Allah knows best.
السلام و علیکم ورحمتہ اللہْ
May Allah help us all. Remember me and the entire Muslim Ummah in your Duas.
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