Most-asked question

What is the virtue of the six fasts of Shawwal?

38 fatawa in the archive answer questions on this, from 7 South African Darul Iftas (AskImam, Mufti Online, Jamiat KZN, Ibn Masood, Camperdown, Amjadi and others). Below, each Darul Ifta’s answer is quoted word for word from the opening of one of its fatawa.

Based on the fatawa linked below. Please read the sources and double-check with a Darul Ifta for your situation.

Consult a mufti for your situation. Fatawa SA is a read-only archive and issues no rulings of its own.

What the Darul Iftas say

“It is permissible to fast six fasts of Shawwal before making up for the missed fasts. However, it is better to prioritize an obligation (missed fasts) over a Sunnah (fasting six days in Shawwal).”

AskImam — Can I fast 6 Shawwal before my Qadha? · 1 Apr 2025

“It is permissible to fast six fasts of Shawwal before making up for the missed fasts. However, it is better to prioritize an obligation (missed fasts) over a Nafl (fasting six days in Shawwal).”

Camperdown — Qadha of Ramadhan first or 6 fasts of Shawwaal · 11 Apr 2024

“1. It is better to keep your qadha before keeping nafl fasts (the six fasts of shawaal or any other nafl). However, if you fast the shawaal fasts before keeping your 17 qadha fasts, the shawaal fasts will be valid.”

Mufti Online — Fasting qadha fasts in Shawwaal · 29 Apr 2024

“With regard to getting married in Shawwaal, Maulana Shabbir Ahmad Uthmani R$ahimahullah has quoted in Fathul Mulhim that you can only say it is Mustahab to get married in Shawwaal, if it can be proven that Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam specifically got married in Shawwaal because of some specialty found in Shawwaal, a …”

Azaadville — Performing Nikaah In The Month Of Shawwaal · 4 Jan 2024

Quotes are the opening words of each answer as published; the full answer, its conditions and references are on the fatwa page. Answers depend on the exact details of each question.

Read the fatawa

  1. Shawwal – Fasting on the days of Eid Jamiat KZN · 2 Apr 2025
  2. Can I fast 6 Shawwal before my Qadha? AskImam · 1 Apr 2025
  3. Can one get the reward of fasting six days of Shawwal outside of Shawwal? Camperdown · 1 May 2024
  4. Fasting qadha fasts in Shawwaal Mufti Online · 29 Apr 2024
  5. Keeping the six fasts of Shawwal whilst having Qadha fasts outstanding Ibn Masood · 18 Apr 2024
  6. Performing Nikaah In The Month Of Shawwaal Azaadville · 4 Jan 2024
  7. PERFORMING UMRAH IN SHAWWAAL Amjadi · 24 Apr 2022
  8. Getting Married In Shawwaal Jamiat KZN · 15 Apr 2024
  9. I heard that the six Shawwaal fasts are Bid'ah AskImam · 1 May 2023
  10. Qadha of Ramadhan first or 6 fasts of Shawwaal Camperdown · 11 Apr 2024
  11. Keeping six fasts of Shawwaal with the intention of qadha Mufti Online · 14 Apr 2019
  12. Compulsion of Hajj if one is within the boundaries of the Haram in Shawwal Ibn Masood · 1 Aug 2022
  13. After Ramadan, Try to keep the 6 Fasts of Shawwaal. (4/4) Jamiat KZN · 22 Mar 2026
  14. Is there Kaffarah for breaking Shawwaal fasts? AskImam · 21 Apr 2023
  15. Dual Intent [Qadha of Ramadhan with the fast of Shawwaal] Camperdown · 19 May 2023

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