Should Fasting The Six Days of Shawwal Be Consecutive?
It is highly recommended to fast six days of the month of Shawwal, as this is a meritorious act which results in abundant reward. However, it is not required to fast six days continuously without any interruption. One can fast according to convenience any time during the month.
In his response to the question in point, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states:
It is certainly wrong to suggest that one must rest for three days to celebrate `Eid Al-Fitr, since `Eid Al-Fitr is celebrated only one day. The six days of Shawwal fast can, therefore, begin right after `Eid, i.e., on the second day of Shawwal. As a matter of fact, that is the position of many scholars. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said,
“Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan, and then follows it up by (fasting) six days of Shawwal, it is as though he has fasted the whole year.” (Reported by Muslim)
However, there are other scholars who do not consider it absolutely necessary to begin the optional fasting of six days of Shawwal immediately after `Eid Al-Fitr. According to them, one may fast any of the six days of Shawwal. Neither do they consider it necessary for a person to fast the six days consecutively. So long as one has fasted six days either consecutively or separately, he has fulfilled the requirement and he will receive the same rewards.
Both of the above cited views have been transmitted from reliable authorities of Fiqh. It is, therefore, simply a matter of interpretation. Since there is nothing in the sources explicitly stating that it must be done immediately after `Eid or that it must be done consecutively, it must be judged as being flexible.
We must recognize the fact that taysir (ease and latitude) is integral to the nature of the Shari`ah, and, therefore, we are not supposed to make something rigid unless it has already been made so.
Why The Six Days of Shawwal Are Called White Days?
As regards to this question, cited here is the fatwa issued by Sheikh `Atiyyah Saqr, former head of Al-Azhar Fatwa Committee, who states:
The white days do exist in every lunar month; such days occur when the moon appears all the night; hence the name relates to the appearance of moon all the night and the sun all the day; they include the 13th , the 14th , and the 15th days of every lunar month. (So they are 3 days, not six as common).
It is also said that they are given this name because Almighty Allah granted Adam forgiveness and whitened his Book of Deeds (purged it of sins) during these days. It has also been reported that when Adam came down to earth, his skin became black and thus Almighty Allah commanded him to fast for these days. When he finished the first day of fasting one third of his skin became white and by the lapse of the third day, his body became totally white. However, this narration is known to be incorrect and falsified.
Anyhow, Islam makes it recommended for Muslims to fast for these three days.
Ibn `Abbas is quoted as saying: “The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was of the habit of fasting the white days while resident or on journey.”
Hafsah is also reported as having said: “There are four things the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) never abandoned; fasting the day of `Ashura, the first ten days of ZulHijjah, three days of every month and the two rak`aat of Dhuha.”
(Reported by Ahmad)
Az-Zurqani said: “The wisdom behind these three days is that they fall in the middle of the month and the lunar eclipse most likely occurs during them. Once this occurs, there will be great reward for the person, for in such a case he will be fasting and performing many other acts of worship". This is as regard the known 3 days that are recommended for fasting.
Now to the six days of the month of Shawwal. These days cannot be called white days. In addition, it is merely recommended, and not obligatory, to spend these days in fasting. It is reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
“ He who fasts the month of Ramadan and follows it with six days of Shawwal, will be rewarded as if fasting for the whole year.”
(Reported by Muslim)
It is also allowable for any Muslim who has to make up for missed days of Ramadan to have two intentions; one for making up for the days he/she missed and the other for fasting the six days of Shawwal.
However, if he made the two types of fasting in separate days, this will be better. Based on this, it is permitted for a person who finds it more difficult to make up for the missed days of Ramadan and fast the six days to have two intentions for both acts and perform them in the same number of days. He can also intend making up for the missed days and later perform the Sunnah fast for six days.
What Is The Significance of Fasting In The Month of Shawwal?
In his response to this question, Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi, President of the Fiqh Council of North America, states the following:
Fasting six days of the month of Shawwal is mentioned in a Prophetic hadith. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said:
"Whosoever fasted in Ramadan and then followed up with six fasting days of Shawwal, it is like fasting every day."
(Reported by Muslim)
The meaning is that the reward is like the reward of a person who is always in fast every day of his/her life.
It is highly recommended to fast six days of the month of Shawwal, but it is not obligatory. Those who want to fast can fast after `Eid Al-Fitr any six days during Shawwal.
It is not required to fast six days continuously without any interruption. One can fast according to convenience any time during the month.
Observing Voluntary Fast before Making Up For Missed Days ?
In response to this question, Dr. `Ali Sayyed Ahmad, professor of Qur’anic exegesis and its sciences, Al-Azhar University answer:
It is permissible to observe voluntary fasting before making up for the missed days of Ramadan, if you are pretty sure that after the voluntary fasting you will still be able to observe the obligatory fasting (making up for the missed fast days).
However, if the time of observing voluntary fasting coincides with that of the obligatory one, say, for instance, you will not be able to observe voluntary fasting before another Ramadan is due, you have to observe the obligatory fasting first.
What I have just said about the permissibility of observing voluntary fasting before making up for the missed days in Ramadan is based on the opinion of scholars who maintain that it is not necessary to make up for the missed days in Ramadan in haste, that this could be done at any other days after Ramadan.
Thus, you can observe voluntary fasting as long as it does not coincide with the obligatory one.
ref: islamonline.net
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