6 Fasts of Shawwal - A Full Year of Reward

1. 1Do not fast on Eid day itself - begin Shawwal fasts from the 2nd.
2. 2Decide qada-first vs Shawwal-first per your school and available days.
3. 3Fast any six days - consecutively or on Mondays and Thursdays.
4. 4Pair intentions (Shawwal + Monday) but keep qada days separate.

The reward and the method

The Prophet ﷺ promised: Ramadan plus six of Shawwal equals a year of fasting (Muslim) - because good deeds multiply tenfold (30 + 6 = 36 × 10 = 360). Fast any six days of Shawwal: consecutively from Eid’s second day for momentum, or spread across Mondays and Thursdays for double reward.

Eid day itself (1st Shawwal) is haram to fast - begin from the 2nd. Women, travelers and the ill with Ramadan makeup days should weigh the qada-first question below.

Qada first or Shawwal first

The Hanbali school and many scholars require completing Ramadan makeup (qada) first, since the hadith says “fasts Ramadan (fully)” then six. The Hanafi and Shafi’i schools permit Shawwal first where time is short, with makeup before next Ramadan - both positions are mainstream; follow your school.

Combining one fast for both Shawwal and Monday is valid (one intention, two rewards); combining Shawwal with qada in a single day is disputed - keep them separate to satisfy all schools where possible.