Can You Fast Shawwal Before Making Up Missed Ramadan Fasts?

The Ruling on Observing Shawwal Fasts Before Making Up Missed Ramadan Fasts

The Ruling on Observing Six Days of Shawwal Before Making Up Missed Ramadan Fasts

A common question arises during Ramadan and Shawwal regarding women who missed some fasts in Ramadan due to a valid excuse (such as travel or illness), asking whether they should make up those missed fasts first, or if they can fast the six optional days of Shawwal before making up the missed fasts. Similarly, men who miss Ramadan fasts due to valid excuses (such as illness or travel) also wonder if they can fast the six Shawwal days before making up for their missed fasts.

There is a difference of opinion among scholars on this matter. Some say that the missed fasts must be made up first, and only then can one observe the six Shawwal fasts, while others say it is permissible to observe the six Shawwal fasts before making up the missed ones. Based on my understanding of this issue, I believe that those who have missed Ramadan fasts should first make them up, and then observe the six Shawwal fasts. The evidence for this is the following hadith of the Prophet ﷺ:

عَنْ أَبِي أَيُّوبَ الأَنْصَارِيِّ، – رضى الله عنه – أَنَّهُ حَدَّثَهُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏:مَنْ صَامَ رَمَضَانَ ثُمَّ أَتْبَعَهُ سِتًّا مِنْ شَوَّالٍ كَانَ كَصِيَامِ الدَّهْر (صحيح مسلم:1164)
Translation: Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Whoever fasts during Ramadan and then follows it with six fasts in Shawwal, it will be like fasting for a lifetime.”

We all know that the words of the Prophet ﷺ are miraculous and comprehensive. His speech is full of wisdom and insight, and it is because of this quality that the issues that will arise until the Day of Judgment will be resolved through his words. Each word of his is profound, which is why entire books have been written to explain even a single hadith.

The words of the hadith regarding the optional fasts of Shawwal also help clarify the issue at hand. The Prophet ﷺ said, “مَنْ صَامَ رَمَضَانَ” (Whoever fasts during Ramadan) — meaning, whoever completes the fasts of Ramadan. He then said, “ثُمَّ أَتْبَعَهُ سِتًّا مِنْ شَوَّالٍ” (then follows it with six fasts in Shawwal) — where “ثم” indicates a sequence, meaning the six fasts of Shawwal must come after the completion of Ramadan. The word “أَتْبَعَهُ” (follows it) emphasizes that following Ramadan with the six Shawwal fasts is a condition. The word “كَانَ كَصِيَامِ الدَّهْر” (it will be like fasting for a lifetime) indicates the immense reward for this act.

Let’s break down the hadith further:

1. “مَنْ صَامَ رَمَضَانَ” refers to fasting the entire month of Ramadan.
2. “ثُمَّ أَتْبَعَهُ سِتًّا مِنْ شَوَّالٍ” indicates that the six Shawwal fasts must follow the Ramadan fasts in sequence.
3. “كَانَ كَصِيَامِ الدَّهْر” means the reward is equivalent to fasting for a lifetime.

This means that anyone who fasts the entire month of Ramadan and then follows it with the six fasts of Shawwal will earn the reward of fasting for a lifetime. Similarly, if a person still has missed fasts from Ramadan, they must first make up those fasts and then observe the six fasts of Shawwal to receive the reward mentioned in the hadith. The word “ثم” in the hadith indicates the proper order — Ramadan first, then Shawwal. If we interpret “ثم” in a different way, many meanings of other Quranic and Hadith texts would change. For example, consider the following hadith:

لا تقولوا: ما شاء اللهُ وشاء فلان، ولكن قولوا: ما شاء اللهُ، ثم شاء فلانٌ (صحيح أبي داود:4980)
Translation: Huzayfah bin Yaman (RA) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Do not say: ‘What Allah wills and so-and-so wills,’ but say: ‘What Allah wills, and then so-and-so wills.'”

In this hadith, the use of “ثم” removes the possibility of associating other beings with Allah’s will, highlighting the importance of following Allah’s will first.

When we apply this understanding to the fasts of Ramadan and Shawwal, it becomes clear that anyone who has missed some fasts from Ramadan must first make up those fasts before observing the six fasts of Shawwal, to earn the reward mentioned in the hadith.

Some Key Points:

• The six Shawwal fasts are optional: These fasts are not obligatory, and if someone finds them difficult or is unable to fast for reasons such as illness, travel, or menstruation, they are not required to observe them.
• There is flexibility in making up missed fasts: While missed Ramadan fasts can be made up until the month of Sha’ban, if someone wants to receive the specific reward mentioned in the hadith for the six Shawwal fasts, they must first complete their missed fasts.
• There is no harm if someone is unable to fast the six Shawwal fasts: If a person has completed all their Ramadan fasts or has made up for their missed fasts, they have fulfilled their obligation, and missing the six Shawwal fasts will not reduce their reward for the Ramadan fasts.
• Those who regularly observe Shawwal fasts but are unable to do so in a particular year will be rewarded according to their intention.

Common Objections and Their Responses:

1. Aisha (RA) used to make up missed fasts in Sha’ban:
   The hadith about Aisha (RA) states that she would make up for her missed fasts from Ramadan in Sha’ban because she was unable to do so earlier. This does not mean she would fast the six Shawwal fasts before making up the missed Ramadan fasts, as there is no evidence of this practice. The hadith does not serve as a proof for fasting Shawwal fasts before the Ramadan fasts.
   
2. What if only a few Ramadan fasts were missed?
   If only a few fasts were missed, making up those fasts before observing the six Shawwal fasts is still the correct course of action, as the hadith requires completing the Ramadan fasts first.
   
3. No mention of the sequence in some hadiths:
   Some hadiths about Shawwal fasts do not mention the sequence. However, other hadiths clarify that the six Shawwal fasts follow Ramadan, as indicated by the word “ثم” in the primary hadith.
   
4. Making up Ramadan fasts can be delayed until Sha’ban, while Shawwal fasts have a specific time:
   Even though there is a window for making up Ramadan fasts, the specific reward for Shawwal fasts can only be obtained by fasting them in the correct order — after completing Ramadan fasts.
   
5. What if Shawwal fasts are observed first?
   Even if someone fasts the six Shawwal fasts first and later makes up for their missed Ramadan fasts, they will still receive reward for their Shawwal fasts. However, to receive the full reward mentioned in the hadith, the correct sequence must be followed.
   

In conclusion, based on the evidence, those who have missed fasts from Ramadan should make them up first, then observe the six fasts of Shawwal to earn the reward mentioned in the hadith. If you are satisfied with the opinion of other scholars, you are free to follow that, but do not be confused or uncertain.

Maqbool Ahmad Salafi
Islamic Dawah Center, Misrah (Ta’if)