May 19 , 2022
Importance of fasting in Shawwal
The first thing people ask regarding Shawwal fasting is whether its obligatory or not ? Oh did you say Sunnah Mustahabbah not waajib ! Lets skip it we have just worked hard with the obligatory fasting in Ramadan .
Is’nt this response for MOST OF US?? Here's something to motivate all of us for fasting these blessed days
1) It is Sunnah Mustahabbah
Mustahab acts are non obligatory but carry great rewards. We should note that if these deeds are that much unnecessary then why would Allah SWT appreciate those offering them? Why there is so much reward in performing them? The reality is these mustahib sunnah serve as a shield from Satan.
2) Reward for fasting an entire year
Abu Ayyub (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever fasts Ramadan and follows it with six days of Shawwal , it will be as if he fasted for a lifetime.”
It was also narrated by Ibn Khuzaymah with the wording: “Fasting for the month of Ramadan brings the reward of ten like it, and fasting for six days brings the reward of two months, and that is the fasting of the whole year.”
3) It makes up for any shortcomings in a person's obligatory Ramadan fasts
We all are aware that there are some shortcomings in our Ramadan fast. This acts like a Sunnah after your obligatory prayers which compensates for any negative effects in obligatory act
4) Sign of Acceptance of Ramadan
Our return to the habit of fasting right after Ramadan is a sign that our Ramadan fasts were accepted. When Allah accepts our worship, He blesses us to engage in further acts of piety. The saying goes: The reward of virtue is further virtue
5) Showing gratitude to Allah
Allah says of fasting in Ramadan, ’[Allah wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful′ [Qur’an, 2:185]. Scholars have interpreted ‘and perhaps you will be grateful’ as: complete your fasts in Ramadan, and then show your gratitude to Allah for Ramadan by continuing to fast in Shawwal.
6) To be among the sabiqoon who hasten to do good deeds:
In the Quran, Allah speaks highly of those who rush to perform good actions.
Allah, the Exalted, says:
"So hasten towards all that is good". (2:148)
"And march forth in the way (which leads to) forgiveness from your Rubb, and for Jannah as wide as are the heavens and the earth, prepared for Al-Muttaqun (the pious)". (3:133)
( Written by Aaliyah Khan, CEO, The Islamic kidstore)