The Significance of Shawwal

Shawwal is the tenth Lunar Month. During the period of ignorance, Ramadhan was regarded as a blessed and sacred month. Shawwal was regarded as a cursed month of ill-omen by the Pagan Arabs. People of that time never married during Shawwal. A`ishah (radiyAllahu ‘anha) expressed contempt at the people to consider this month to be inauspicious, as she was married to Rasulullah (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) in this very month. The wrong beliefs of the people were clearly disproved by A`ishah (radiyAllahu ‘anha) by her marriage to Rasulullah (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) in the month of Shawwal which was no obstruction to her elevated position and the great love Rasulullah (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) had for her.

To a Muslim the first day of the month of Shawwal, is of very great significance, as this is the day of Eid. On this significant day, Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) showers His blessings and forgiveness on His servants who have fasted during the month of Ramadhan. It is related from Anas (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) that Rasulullah (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) has said:

“When the day of Eid comes, Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) proudly asks in the presence of the Angels regarding his fasting servants “O My Angels, what reward is there for such labourers who have fully completed their duty”. The Angels reply “O Rabb they should be rewarded in full”. Then Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) asks the Angels, “O My Angels, what is the reward for those male and female servants who have fulfilled My divine command which was compulsory upon them, and now they have come out to beseech Me in du`a? I take an oath upon My grandeur and glory, My generosity and exaltation of My elevated position, that I will definitely accept their du`as”. Thereafter Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) says to the muslims “Disperse, I have forgiven you and replaced your sins with good deeds”.

Rasulullah (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) says: “they return forgiven”.

The Six Nafl Fasts of Shawwal

Abu Ayyub (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) relates that Rasulullah (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) has said:

“Whosoever fasted the full month of Ramadhan and then follows it with six fasts of Shawwal, is like a person who has fasted the full year” (Reported by Targhib)

In another Hadith it is related that by observing these six fasts after Ramadhan all faults and sins are forgiven. The reward of every good deed is tenfold or more.

The thawaab of the Month of Ramadhan is equal to that of ten months and that of these six voluntary fast are equal to that of the remaining two months to complete the full year. These fasts could be kept continuously after Eid or separately during the month of Shawwal.

In a lengthy Hadith, Anas (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) has stated:

“When Eid arrives, Allah I addresses the Mala’ikah and says ‘They (Muslims) have fulfilled My order. They have emerged to make du’a. I take oath by My Splendour, by My Grandeur, by My Grace and by My Loftiness that I will most certainly accept their prayer.” Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) then proclaims to the Believers: “Return! I have forgiven you and I have exchanged your evil deeds with virtues. They thus return from the Musalla forgiven.”

May Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) accept our efforts and make every moment of this blessed month a means of receiving His Mercy, Blessing and Forgiveness. May we all be granted a place in Jannah. (Ameen)