Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Dear brother.

Please advise if there are ane special rules applicable to the fasting (volantary) in Shawaal.

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Answer:

The fasting of shawwal

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Sahih Muslim Hadith 2614 Narrated by Abu Ayyub al-Ansari

Allah's Messenger (saws) said: “He who observed the fast of Ramadan and then followed it with six (fasts) of Shawwal, it would be as if he fasted perpetually (for the whole year).”

According to the school of Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, one may fast on these six days consecutively or non-consecutively, as neither practice is preferred over the other. The Hanafi and Shafei schools of thought maintain that it is preferable to fast on consecutive days after the Eid. But all the scholars and jurists in Islam are unanimous in their opinion, that these six fasts of Shawwal are voluntary: that means, if one does them, they will earn a huge reward from Allah Subhanah, and if one chooses not to do them, there is absolutely no obligation nor sin upon them.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan