Mawla-e-Rasool Sayyiduna Thawban (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) said: Whoever fasts during the month of Ramadan, then in reward it will be equal to ten months, and then if he keeps six fasts after breaking the fast, that is, after Eid al-Fitr, then in terms of reward it will be as if he has fasted for the whole year.
Hadith Referenceالفتح الربانی / كتاب الصيام / 3965
Hadith Gradingمحدثین:صحیح
Hadith Takhrij«حديث صحيح۔ اخرجه ابن ماجه: 1715، (انظر مسند أحمد ترقيم الرسالة: 22412 ترقیم بيت الأفكار الدولية: 22776»
Brief Explanation
Benefits: … The complete fasts of Ramadan and six of Shawwal together make a total of thirty-six (36) fasts, and the reward for every good deed is multiplied tenfold. In this regard, such a person receives the reward of three hundred and sixty (360) fasts, that is, the reward of fasting for an entire year. It is not necessary for the six fasts of Shawwal to be started immediately after Eid al-Fitr, nor is it necessary for them to be observed consecutively; rather, one may complete the count of six at any time during the month, as is convenient.