“Whoever fasts Ramadan, then follows it with six from Shawwal, then that is (equal in reward) to fasting every day.” (Tirmidhi 759)
Ramadan is the most sacred month in which the true disciples of Islam fulfill the 4th Pillar of Islam, i.e. fasting for 30 consecutive days in order to please the Almighty Allah. Do you fall back to the same routine after Ramadan and trying to uphold the activities that you have once shunt in Ramadan? Do not forgo what you have in hands and what you have achieved in the last month of Ramadan. To continue this habit even after Ramadan, Allah has blessed the Muslims with the divine month of Ramadan, Shawwal about which Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan and then follows it with six days of fasting in the month of Shawwal, it will be as if he had fasted the year through.” (Sahih Muslim). Shawwal is the 10th month in the Islamic calendar following the holy month of Ramadan. It is loved worldwide because the first day of the month is celebrated as Eid al-Fitr. Though the 1st day is celebrated as a feast, Muslims keep a 6 day fast just after Eid al-Fitr. It is believed that fasting 6 days after Eid al-Fitr increases the blessings of Ramadan fasting and makes up for any unintentional deficiency left during Ramadan fasting. ‘Shawwal’—derived from the Arabic word Sawaal which means ‘raised’—draws its inspiration from the camels who carry their little one during this time. Additionally, it also means breakage/uplift, as, before the establishment of Islam, Arab tribes believed that marriages held in the month of Shawwal would always be unsuccessful.Fasting in the Ramzan month is one of the pillars of Islam. However, the month of Shawwal is also of special importance to the Muslims. It is during this month that Allah has bestowed the Eid-ul-Fitr celebration. The event is considered to be Allah’s reward for the successful completion of Ramzan. Fasting for a period of six days in the holy Shawwal month is of immense virtue to the Muslims. It also compensates for any short falling that one might have made during the fasting of Ramzan. With such religious importance of the Shawwal month, performing Umrah in Shawwal is a pious thought. Fasting is an indispensable part of Islamic culture. It helps people detach from the world and focus on devoting themselves to Allah. Though fasting in itself is highly rewarding, fasting during Shawwal offers great benefits. It is believed that fasting after Eid ul-Fitr is equal to fasting throughout the year. Shia Muslims fast six days after Eid, while Sunni Muslims conduct three days of fasting post Eid. According to a hadith in Sahih Muslims, Prophet Muhammad said: “Whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan and then follows it with six days of fasting in the month of Shawwal, it will be as if he fasted for the entire year.” Rewards of Shawwal fasting 6 days consecutively equates to rewards of fasting throughout the year. It covers up and compensates for the deficiency left in Ramadan fast.Fasting after Ramadan acts as a sign that Allah has accepted Ramadan fasts and granted an individual the strength to do good deeds of fasting again in Shawwal.Shawwal fasting helps an individual seek further guidance from Allah and lead a pious life after Ramadan away from sins. As per a Hadith explained by the companion of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, “Whoever fasts in the month of Ramzan and then follows it with six days of fasting in the month of Shawwal, it will be as if he had fasted throughout the year.”According to another Hadith, “Performing Umrah during Ramadan is equal to hajj.”That explains why numerous Muslims tend to opt for Umrah in Shawwal. It is essential to note that there is no difference in the ritual itself, irrespective of the timeline. However, rituals will slightly differ for Umrah Mufradah and Umrah Tamattu. According to the words of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Umrah is a desirable act or a Sunnah for the Muslims. Although there is no specific time to perform Umrah, there is a difference between performing it in the month of Shawwal and the rest of the year.Shawwal is the blessed month in which Eid ul-Fitr is celebrated. Since it is a holy month, performing Umrah in Shawwal is absolutely in compliance with the Islamic Laws. It is vital to note that there are two distinct types of Umrah. One is Umrah al-Tamattu and the other is Umrah al-Mufradah. Umrah al-Mufradah can be performed by Muslims anytime during the year. However, it must not be done during the time of Hajj. Umrah al-Tamattu is mainly performed along with Hajj. That is why this Umrah is performed in the months of Hajj. These include Dhu al-Hijjah, Dhu al-Qadah, and Shawwal. It is important to remember that if one opts for Umrah in Shawwal it is in association with Hajj, thereby translating it to the Hajj of Tamattu. Likewise, Umrah that is successfully completed before Shawwal cannot be accepted as the Umrah of Tamattu. However, there are several conditions one must fulfill to perform Umrah in Shawwal. The most basic of these is that one must be an adult Muslim, who has the physical and the financial capacity to embark on the journey. Women need to have a Mahram or male relative to fulfill the Umrah. The historic battle of Uhud took place in the month of Shawwal. The battle of Hunayn was also fought in this month. In 1926, the al-Baqi cemetery was demolished by the The Sultanate of Nejd during the month of Shawwal. 13th of Shawwal, 194 AH is the birthdate of popular Islamic scholar, Imam al-Bukhari. Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq, the founder of the Ja’fari school of jurisprudence was martyred this month. The month of Shawwal is the time for celebration and to devote oneself to the service of Allah. Make the most of it by fasting for six days and and if possible perform Umrah as well.
The month of Shawwal is the 10th month in the Islamic calendar, Eid ul-Fitr is the start of the Holy month of Shawwal which Muslims celebrate with full of joy. Allah Almighty provided us with more blessings in the form of the 6 days of Shawwal, You can fast 6 days at any time during the month of Shawwal after Eid al-Fitr. The month of Shawwal is the only other month after Ramadan which is recommended for us to fast in. The month of Shawwal is the tenth month in the Hijri calendar and it has great significance for all Muslims. During pre-Islamic times, Arabs believed that any marriage held in Shawwal would always turn out to be a failure. Superstitions and pessimistic beliefs were common in the pre-Islamic Arabian society. Islam came to change these mistaken beliefs and negative perceptions, including that of the month of Shawwal. Islam transformed these negative ideas and beliefs into positive ones. Shawwal begins Eid-ul-Fitr, the day of festival as a reward for fasting and long prayers throughout the month of Ramadan. Shawwal is the month of one of the two annual festivals in Islam; Eid-ul-Fitr. This happy day is a sign of gratefulness by the Muslims on the accomplishment of Ramadan, and as an immediate reward by Allah for those who spent the month of Ramadan in fasting, praying, and performing other forms of worship. The celebration of Eid itself also encourages Muslims to perform more forms of worship. First, one must give Zakat-ul-Fitr one or two days prior to Eid or on the morning of Eid day. This is a charity given to the poor and needy so that they too can enjoy the day along with others. Eid prayers are performed on the morning of Eid in an open area so large numbers of Muslims can gather and perform Eid prayers collectively and meet and congratulate each other on the occasion of Eid. Following the Eid prayer, is a sermon which the worshipers listen to. The month of Shawwal is the only other month in the Muslim lunar calendar in which certain days of fasting are prescribed. It is highly recommended to fast six days in Shawwal, as narrated by Abu Ayyub Ansari that the Prophet (peace be upon him) has said, “If one throughout his life keeps the fasts of Ramadan and keeps six consecutive fasts in Shawwal it will be as though he has kept a whole lifetime of fasts, and if one fasts for six consecutive days in Shawwal it will be as though he has fasted all year round.”(Muslim) There is considerable flexibility in the opinions on how people should fast the six days of Shawwal. Some scholars hold the view that it is preferable to fast the six days in consecutive order, starting from the second day of Shawwal, yet others are of the opinion that it is better to fast the six days intermittently, spreading them out throughout the month of Shawwal. The wisdom of fasting these six days comes as sign to continue our commitment to worship just as we had been doing so in Ramadan. Fasting these six days is a sign of one’s commitment to continue in worship and submission to Allah, willingly and not out of obligation. Also as a sign of thankfulness, fasting these six days is an expression of thankfulness for the reward of fasting that Allah grants on the day of Eid. Thankfulness is the key to increase one’s blessings from Allah, and a means of securing one’s blessings and good. Fasting six days in Shawwal after observing Ramadan gives the person the reward of fasting all year long. Fasting is an action most beloved to Allah. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to fast frequently throughout the year. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Allah, the Exalted and Majestic, said, “Every act of the son of Adam is for him, except for fasting which is (exclusively) for Me, and I will reward him for it.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim) Fasting in Shawwal following Ramadan can cover up for the deficiencies in our performance of our obligatory worship during Ramadan. Acquiring the habit of fasting again soon after Ramadan helps to keep the spirit of worship of Allah high just as it was during Ramadan. Shawwal is also significant because it marks the onset of Hajj season. The verse from the Holy Qur’an states, {Hajj is during well-known months} (Chapter 2, verse 197) Abdullah ibn Omar informs us that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) declared that the well-known months referred to in this verse are the lunar months of Shawwal, Dhul Qidah and the first ten days of Dhul Hijah. (Recorded in Al-Bukhari) Shawwal is the first of the three months named as the months of Hajj. Although the major rituals of Hajj are performed in the first ten days of Dhul Hijah, yet it comprises the whole period staring from the first of Shawwal until the end of the tenth day of Dhul Hijah. Shawwal also witnessed major events in the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The marriage of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to Aisha took place in Shawwal The battle between Banu Qaynuqaa took place in Shawwal. The battle of Uhud also took place in Shawwal, three years after the Hijrah. Its history is significant as are the acts of worship and fasting that believers should observe in this month. Thus, following the Sunnah of Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H) is not only the opportunity to show love for beloved Prophet (P.B.U.H) but following the Sunnah has also so many rewards by the grace of Almighty Allah. Allah loves His last Prophet (P.B.U.H) and thus whosoever do anything in love of Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H), Allah benefits that person in this world and in the eternal world. Here is one of the most important things which needs attention that Muslims should be aware of that they will be benefited by Sunnah only if they have performed their obligations (fard) which have been assigned to them by Allah. Because obligations must always be the first priority and indeed Allah is the most merciful and beneficent.
(The authors write regularly on “Islamic topics” exclusively for “Kashmir Horizon”. Views are their own)
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