Question:
A woman used to observe the six voluntary fasts of Shawwal every year. However, one year she gave birth at the beginning of Ramadan, and she was unable to fast due to postnatal bleeding (nifas). After Ramadan, when she became pure, she began making up her missed Ramadan fasts. Should she make up the six fasts of Shawwal after completing her Ramadan qada, even if Shawwal has passed? Or is it sufficient for her to only make up the missed Ramadan fasts? Also, are these six fasts of Shawwal always obligatory upon her?
Answer:
The six fasts of Shawwal are Sunnah (recommended), not obligatory. This is based on the hadith of the Prophet ﷺ:
من صام رمضان ثم أتبعه ستا 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 for the whole year.”
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1164)
This hadith also indicates that there is no restriction on whether these fasts should be consecutive or separate, as the wording of the hadith is general. However, it is preferable to observe them as soon as possible, as Allah says in the Qur'an:
وَعَجِلْتُ إِلَيْكَ رَبِّ لِتَرْضَى
“And I hastened to You, O my Lord, so that You would be pleased.”
(Surah Taha: 84)
Many Qur'anic verses and hadiths encourage hastening towards good deeds.
Observing these six fasts every year is not obligatory but is highly recommended (mustahabb). This is supported by the hadith:
أحب العمل إلى الله ما داوم عليه صاحبه، وإن قل
“The most beloved deed to Allah is that which a person does consistently, even if it is little.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 5861, 6464, 6465; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 782)
If one misses the six fasts of Shawwal, they do not have to be made up after Shawwal has passed. This is because they are voluntary and their timeframe has expired, whether missed due to an excuse or without an excuse.
And success is granted only by Allah Almighty.
— Sheikh Ibn Baz (رحمه الله)
