5 ADVANTAGES OF FASTING 6 IN THE MONTH OF SYAWAL

1. Getting a reward like fasting for a year

Fasting is one of the acts of worship that has a high place in the eyes of God.

For this reason, Muslims are encouraged to complete the 6 fasts in the month of Syawal.
مَنْ صَامَ رَمَضَانَ ثُمَّ أَتْبَعَهُ سِتًّا مِنْ شَوَّالٍ كَانَ كَصِيَامِ الدَّهْ
Translation:
From Abu Ayyub al-Ansari RA, it is narrated that the Prophet SAW said: "Whoever fasts Ramadan, then follows it with fasting (circumcision) for six days in the month of Shawwal, it is equivalent to fasting for a year."

(Hadith narrated by Muslim, no. 1164, Abu Dawud, no. 2433, al-Tirmizi, no. 759, Ibn Majah, no. 1716, Ahmad, no. 22433 & 22454)

Through this hadith, fasting 6 is also seen as a sign of God's love for the people of Prophet Muhammad by giving him the opportunity to earn the reward of fasting for a year if the fasting of Ramadan is complemented by fasting for six days in the month of Syawal.
The worship we do is nothing but to get God's reward and pleasure. There is another hadith that gives an idea of the merits of fasting six days in the month of Syawal.

Based on a hadith narration which means: "The reward of fasting Ramadan is equivalent to fasting for ten months and fasting six days of the month of Syawal is equivalent to fasting for two months. So it is enough for a year."

(Hadith narrated by Ahmad, no. 21378, Ibn al-Khuzaimah in his sahih, no. 2115, al-Darimi, no. 1755, al-Baihaqi in sunan al-Kubra, no. 8230).

This offer only comes once a year for us to grab the reward of fasting for a month in the months of Ramadhan and Syawal.

According to the sharing from JAKIM, later scholars in the Syafie Madhhab such as al-Khatib al-Syarbini and Imam al-Ramli, people who fulfill other fasts such as qadha', vows or circumcision fasting on Monday Thursday for six days in the month of Syawal also get the reward of Syawal circumcision fasting .

Therefore, the month of Syawal is a month that is encouraged for us to fast such as circumcision fasting, vows or qadha'.

2. Accommodating the Lack of Ramadan Fasting

Among the advantages of fasting 6 is that it is an opportunity for us to make up for the lack of previous Ramadan fasting.
In explaining this matter, al-Imam Ibn Rajab explained:

That the fasting of Shawwal and Sha'ban is the prayer of the Sunnah before the prescribed prayer and after that he completed what happened in the farz of the disturbance.
"Indeed, fasting six days and fasting Sha'aban is like the practice of Sunat Rawatib prayer before and after the obligatory prayer. This practice of circumcision makes up for the deficiencies in the fardu practice in the event of a gap in the fardu practice." (Lataif Maarif)

3. Continuing the Momentum of Ramadan Worship

In addition, we are also strongly encouraged to fast for six days in the month of Syawal in order to continue the momentum of worship that has been done in the month of Ramadan.

Most of us are very eager to do good deeds during the month of Ramadan, and successfully fight the urge to double the deeds compared to other months.
To help maintain the momentum, fasting 6 can train our souls to remain consistent in continuing to practice circumcision.

4. Be Complementary to Fardhu Worship

We as His weak servants always hope that the practice of circumcision can be a complement to the obligatory practices that have deficiencies.

Coinciding with the Qudsi hadith:

إنَّ اوَّلَ what the people will be judged by on the day of resurrection from their acts of prayer, he said:
صلاةِ عبدي عتمَّها وم قصصَهَا فن كانت تامَّةً كتبت لَه تَمَّةً ون كانَ انتقَ منها شييً قالَ انظُروا هل لعبدي من تطوُّعٍ فن
كانَ لَه تطوُّعٌ قالَ أتُّوا لعبدي فریضَتَه من تطوُّعِه ثمَّ تإخدُ عقمُ علَى زاكُم

Translation: "Indeed the first act that is counted for people on the Day of Judgment is prayer. His Majesty S.A.W said, Allah S.W.T said to His angels while He knows better: Look at this prayer of My servant, has it been completed or is there still something lacking? If it's perfect, write it perfect. If there is still less, His Word: See if there are circumcision practices in My servant. If there is, His Word: Perfect for My servant his fardhu practices with his circumcision practices, then the practices in that situation are counted."
(Al-Hakim's narration)

5. God Promises Paradise For Those Who Are Diligent In Fasting

According to the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad S.A.W, there is a gate of heaven that has been designated as Ar-Rayyan for the servants of God who practice fasting.

Translation: "Whoever spends wealth in the way of God, he will be called from the gates of heaven: O servant of God, this is good for you. Anyone who always performs prayer, is called from the door of prayer. Anyone who does jihad, is called from the door of jihad. Whoever fasts, is called from the gate of ar-Rayyan. Whoever gives alms, is called from the door of almsgiving. Saidina Abu Bakar R.A said: For the sake of my mother and father, O Messenger of Allah S.A.W. Those who are called from those gates no longer need anything. Will there be someone called from all the doors. Answer His Majesty S.A.W: Yes, I expect you to be among them."

The month of Syawal is also seen as a yardstick for whether practices in the month of Ramadan have an effect on our hearts and actions.

Date of Input: 15/04/2024 | Updated: 15/04/2024 | asmunir