After Ramadan, comes the month
of Shawwal. During this month, it is recommended to observe
six additional days of fasting (Nafil). These days of fasting are
not obligatory, but they are recommended by the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad
(pbuh), who said: “Whoever
fasts during Ramadan and follows it with six days of fasting in Shawwal will be
rewarded as if they have fasted for the entire year” (Abu Dawud). It is possible to observe these six Nafil fasts
on any day during Shawwal, except for the 1st of Shawwal,
which is Eid-ul-Fitr, a day of celebration when fasting is
prohibited by Allah.
For those who have missed obligatory fasts from previous years, it is preferable to make up for those missed days first before observing the six Nafil fasts. However, if someone has only missed fasts during the recent Ramadan, they can start with the six Nafil fasts and later make up the missed obligatory fasts. Alternatively, one can choose to make up missed fasts during Shawwal itself, but these fasts will not be considered Nafil; rather, they will be the obligatory fasts owed to Allah. After completing these obligatory fasts, if they wish, they can observe the six Nafil fasts of Shawwal.