The garden of the six days of Shawwal

Abu Ayyub (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated# that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever observes fasts during the month of Ramadan and also observes As-Sawm for six days in the month of Shawwal, it is as if he has observed As-Sawm for the whole year." [Reported by Muslim].[1]

It is a renewal of the covenant with Allah, confirmation to the truthfulness of a person, continuation of righteous work, looking for perfection, hastening to Allah's Pleasure, seeking forgiveness, and keenness to reach the highest degrees.

They are six in number but equal the entire lifetime fasting, and the reward of such action is given to a person who is keen to observe fasting the six days after fasting Ramadan.

Fasting the six days of Shawwal embodies the following of a righteous deed with another righteous deed to increase faith and raise degrees to reach perfection.

The six days of Shawwal come after a month that is full of obedience, Salah, and recitation to strengthen the faith of powerful believers, conquer their whims, overcome their enemy, and add a light to theirs.

Six days of Shawwal in which a believer lives the wonderful moments of Ramadan and restore its sweetness and beauty. He should learn that it is a must to keep to straightness and following the same way of obedience even if it is not as strong as the obedience of Ramadan. A believer should maintain close relationship with his Lord until his death and admitting the gardens of the bliss.

Six days of Shawwal are great lessons for a person to learn that although `Eid days are for rest and comfort but the real rest is in Paradise because the world was not created for play and joy, and a soul must obey its Lord and Creator.

After a month full of gardens of different acts of obedience and a Muslim continues reaping good deeds and standing at the doors of goodness, the six days of Shawwal come to say: The way has not ended, and there is no stability and rest except in Paradise.

After the rest of `Eid and the joy of a person with his fasting, the call comes to swim in another sea of good deeds in pursuit to the pleasure of the Most Merciful.

Whoever completes the month of Ramadan should hasten to fast the six days of Shawwal before apathy and the increase of engagements. They will be good when the heart is still connected with Ramadan and the body has not got used to rest and comfort, so it will become easy for him as they confirm the truthfulness of a Muslim and his strong determination.

They are six days come after Ramadan but they equal the fasting of entire lifetime because one good deed equals ten, and Allah is Generous. It is also a call to a person not to stop marching to Allah, especially after tasting the sweetness of obedience and knew its fruits.

So, a person should make up his mind to continue the path and not to look behind because the reward of Allah is greater.

Honor yourselves by seizing the chance of mercy, and observe fasting for the six days of Shawwal, for you have fasted the month of Ramadan and it is a chance that cannot be compensated. Whoever finds himself able to fast may not have the chance the next year to fast, so do not waste the chance. Our Lord! Let not our hearts deviate (from the truth) after You have guided us, and grant us mercy from You. Truly, You are the Bestower.

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[1] Reported by Muslim (1984).