What are the six days of Shawwal?
The six days of Shawwal are six voluntary fasts that Muslims keep in Shawwal, the month right after Ramadan. The Prophet ﷺ said that fasting Ramadan and then six days of Shawwal is like fasting the whole year. They are sunnah, not required, and you can fast them on any days of the month except Eid day.
Where it comes from
The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever fasts Ramadan and then follows it with six days of Shawwal, it is as if he fasted for a lifetime" (Sahih Muslim 1164). Scholars explain the maths with the Quran's promise that a good deed is multiplied by ten.
About 30 days of Ramadan count as 300, and 6 days count as 60, giving roughly 360 days: a full year of reward. Do this every year and it is like fasting your whole life.
When can I fast them?
- Not on Eid day: fasting on the 1st of Shawwal is forbidden. See Can I fast on the day of Eid?
- Any six days after that: from the 2nd of Shawwal until the month ends.
- In a row or spread out: both are fine. Some scholars prefer starting straight after Eid; others say spreading them is just as good.
- Mondays and Thursdays: many people combine them with their usual weekly fasts.
What about missed Ramadan days?
If you missed Ramadan days because of illness, travel or your period, scholars differ. Many, especially in the Hanbali school, say to make up the missed days first, because the hadith says "fasts Ramadan and then follows it". Others, including many Hanafi and Shafi'i scholars, allow the six days first because Shawwal is short and the make-up days can wait until next Ramadan. If you can manage both, making up first is the safest. Combining one intention for both is a disputed point, so keeping them separate is cleaner.
Scholarly views
The majority (Shafi'i, Hanbali and later Hanafi scholars) say these fasts are a recommended sunnah. Imam Malik disliked them being treated like part of Ramadan, worrying people would think they were compulsory, but Maliki scholars still accept them as voluntary fasting. So nobody should feel guilty for skipping them, and everyone is welcome to try.
Eid celebrations come first, though. See Should I eat before the Eid prayer? and, for the bigger picture, What are the benefits of fasting in Islam?
- Six voluntary fasts in Shawwal, the month after Ramadan.
- Together with Ramadan, they bring the reward of a full year (Sahih Muslim 1164).
- Never on Eid day; any other six days of Shawwal, together or apart.
- Making up missed Ramadan days first is the safest option.
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