By Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) explained this when he said: “Whoever fasts for six days after (Eid) al-Fitr has
completed the year: (whoever does a good deed (hasanah) will have ten hasanah
like it).” According
to another report: “Allaah has made for each hasanah ten like it, so a
month is like fasting ten months, and fasting six days completes the year.” (al-Nisaa’i and Ibn Maajah. See
also Saheeh al-Targheeb wa’l-Tarheeb, 1/421). It was also narrated by Ibn
Khuzaymah with the wording: “Fasting for the month of Ramadaan 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.”
The
Hanbali and Shaafa’i fuqaha’ explained that fasting six days of Shawwaal after
fasting Ramadaan makes it as if one has fasted for an entire year of obligatory
fasts, because the multiplication of the reward applies even to naafil fasts,
because each hasanah brings the reward of ten like it.
Another of
the important benefits of fasting six days of Shawwaal is that is makes up for
any shortfall in a person's obligatory Ramadaan fasts, because no one is free
of shortcomings or sins that have a negative effect on his fasting. On the Day
of Resurrection, some of his naafil deeds will be taken to make up the
shortcomings in his obligatory deeds, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) said: “The first thing for which people will be brought to
account on the Day of Resurrection will be their salaah (prayer). Our Lord, may
He be glorified and exalted, will say to His angels – although He knows best –
‘Look at the salaah of My slave, whether it is complete or incomplete.’ If it
is perfect, it will be recorded as perfect, and if something is lacking, He
will say, ‘Look and see whether My slave did any voluntary (naafil) prayers.’
If he did some voluntary prayers, [Allaah] will say, Complete the obligatory
actions of My slave from his voluntary actions.’ Then all his actions will be
dealt with in a similar manner.” (Narrated by Abu Dawood).
And Allaah
knows best.
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