Question:
If a woman observes the six fasts of Shawwal as make-up (qada) fasts for the missed fasts of Ramadan, will that suffice for the recommended six fasts of Shawwal? Will she receive the reward for them?
Answer:
The Prophet ﷺ has stated:
من صام رمضان ثم أتبعه بست من شوال كان كصيام الدهر
“Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan and then follows it with six days of Shawwal, it is as if he has fasted the entire year.”
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1164)
This hadith clearly indicates that a person must first complete the obligatory fasts of Ramadan and then observe the six fasts of Shawwal as voluntary fasts to attain the reward of fasting the whole year.
In another narration:
صيام رمضان بعشرة أشهر وستة أيام من شوال بشهرين
“The fasts of Ramadan are equivalent to ten months, and the six fasts of Shawwal are equivalent to two months.”
(Sahih al-Jami', Hadith 3851; Sahih al-Targhib, Hadith 997)
Since every good deed is multiplied tenfold, fasting Ramadan counts as ten months, and six days of Shawwal count as two months, making a total of one full year of fasting.
Thus, if a person has missed some Ramadan fasts due to a valid excuse such as illness, travel, menstruation, or postnatal bleeding, then they must first make up those missed fasts in Shawwal or any other month before observing the six voluntary fasts of Shawwal.
Only after completing the make-up fasts, can one observe the six fasts of Shawwal to attain the promised reward. Make-up fasts do not replace voluntary fasts, as they serve different purposes.
This matter is clear and self-evident, with no ambiguity.
— Sheikh Ibn Jibreen (رحمه الله)
