Syawal fasting is amongst the worship that follows Eid Al-Fitr and Ramadhan, it completes the Ramadhan fast and complements it, but Muslimah or even Muslim who missed couple of days of Ramadhan fasting frequently have concerns about two acts of worship: making up missed Ramadan fasts and fasting during Shawwal. With reference to scholarly opinions and reliable sources this article will address the question of which should come first: the mandatory makeup (qadha) fasts for missed Ramadan days or the Sunnah fast of Shawwal which is highly virtuous and time constrain?
Fasting as a virtue in Shawwal
It is customary to observe a Sunnah fast for six days during the month of Shawwal either consecutively or separately. According to the Prophet ﷺ:
Anybody who fasts during Ramadan and then fasts for six days during Shawwal is considered to have fasted for a full year (Sahih Muslim).
This hadith emphasizes the great benefits of Shawwal fasting. It is not only very rewarding but it also enhances Ramadan worship. However when a Muslimah misses a Ramadan fast for legitimate reasons like menstruation postpartum hemorrhage or illness a question is raised. Should she focus on making up the Ramadan fasts she missed or on fasting Shawwal?
Also read:What Is The Fiqh View On Shawwal Fasting?
The duty to make up for lost Ramadan fasts
Every Muslim who was unable to fast during Ramadan for a legitimate reason and still able to do it after Ramadhan is required to make up the missed fasts. Allah ﷻ said in surah Al-Baqarah verse 185:
Then whoever amongst you is sick or traveling then they (must fast) an equal number of other days
According to scholars one should make up any missed Ramadan fasts as soon as possible before the next one begins. But what if the month of Shawwal has already begun and a Muslim wants to practice the virtue of fasting during Shawwal? This is where scholars disagree.
Different Opinions of Scholars
Two major points of view have been expressed by scholars on this issue. The majority of scholars including those from the Hanafi, Maliki and Shafi’i schools hold the first view which holds that it is acceptable. While Malikis and Shafi’is accept it but consider it to be somewhat despised (makruh), the Hanafis regard it as having no problem. As long as it is finished before the next Ramadan they contend the duty to make up missed Ramadan fasts need not be fulfilled right away. They quote the surah Al-Baqarah verse 185 that being written above to imply that missed fasts can be replaced. They also cite a hadith attributed to Aisyah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) who stated:
I used to have fasts to make up from Ramadan, and I would not be able to make them up except in Sha’ban (Narrated by Both Bukhari and Muslim).
The fact that she was able to do voluntary fasts despite postponing mandatory fasts supports the idea that it is acceptable to observe the six days of Shawwal before completing Ramadan fasts.
Other scholars hold the second view which contends that before participating in voluntary fasts like Shawwals, one should finish the required Ramadan fasts. They stress that the hadith of Rasulullah (shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) which states Whoever fasts Ramadan and then follows it with six days of Shawwal it is as if he fasted the entire year suggests that taking advantage of the six days of Shawwal is contingent upon finishing Ramadan. According to this perspective performing ones religious duties should always come before performing other acts of worship.
Also read:Sunnah of Fasting Shawwal, What Are The Advantages?
Advice for Muslim and Muslimah Regarding this Problem
According to the references given the appropriate suggestion is as follows: If the person still has time to complete the Shawwal fasts and make up lost Ramadan fasts in shawwal without difficulty then make up for missed Ramadhan fasts should be given priority. This is due to Shawwal fasts being sunnah and making up Ramadan fasts being obligator. Acts of worship that are completely voluntary must yield to obligations. But if there is insufficient time (for instance because of a lengthy menstrual cycle) to make up for missed Ramadan and then fasts the 6 days voluntary in Shawwal, it is acceptable to prioritize Shawwal fasting. While still utilizing the chance to achieve the virtue of fasting in Shawwa, this guarantees that the obligatory duty is not overlooked.
Also read:Intention to Fast Qadha Ramadhan: Don’t Make a Mistake!
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References
IslamQA. (n.d.). Fasting six days of Shawwal before making up missed fasts. Retrieved from https://islamqa.info/en/answers/40389/fasting-six-days-of-shawwal-before-making-up-missed-fasts
NU Online. (n.d.). Qadha puasa Ramadhan atau puasa sunnah Syawal dulu? Retrieved from https://nu.or.id/ramadhan/qadha-puasa-ramadhan-atau-puasa-sunah-syawal-dulu-5goTW
Risalah Islam. (2018). Puasa Syawal atau qodho dulu untuk muslimah? Retrieved from https://www.risalahislam.com/2018/06/puasa-syawal-atau-qodho-dulu-untuk.html
Rumaysho. (n.d.). Puasa qadha atau puasa Syawal, mana yang lebih didahulukan muslimah? Retrieved from https://rumaysho.com/24559-puasa-qadha-atau-puasa-syawal-mana-yang-lebih-didahulukan-muslimah.html
Alukah. (n.d.). Ruling on fasting six days of Shawwal before making up missed Ramadan fasts. Alukah.net. Retrieved March 13, 2025, from https://www.alukah.net/sharia/0/168775/
