Question:
Should a person first make up for Ramadan (qadha) or can he first fast 6 days of Shawwal?
Which is better?
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-Salāmu ‘Alaykum Wa-Rahmatullāhi Wa-Barakātuh.
It is permissible to fast six fasts of Shawwal before making up for the missed fasts. [1] However, it is better to prioritize an obligation (missed fasts) over a Nafl (fasting six days in Shawwal).[2]
Nevertheless, one should strive to keep the six fasts of Shawwal to attain the huge rewards as clearly stated by the Hadith of Rasoolullah ﷺ.
عن أبي أيوب الأنصاري أنه حدثه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: “من صام رمضان ثم أتبعه ستا من شوال كان كصيام الدهر”.[3]
Hadhrat Abu Ayyub Ansari narrates that Rasulullah ﷺ said: “Whoever fasts during the month of Ramadhan, then follows it with six days of Shawwal, it is like he fasted the entire year.”
And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best.
Muhammud Luqman Moideen
Student Darul Iftaa
Mauritius
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Muhammad Zakariyya Desai.
