Can I fast Shawwal before making up missed fasts?

Detailed answer

The best and safest approach is to make up your missed Ramadan days first, then fast the six days of Shawwal. The obligatory fast comes before the voluntary one, and the hadith speaks of fasting Ramadan and then following it with six days.

What the Quran and Sunnah say

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever fasts Ramadan and then follows it with six days of Shawwal, it is as if he fasted for a lifetime" (Muslim). Many scholars understand "fasts Ramadan" as completing the full month, including any days you make up.

At the same time, the time for making up Ramadan fasts is wide. Allah says: "…then an equal number of other days" (Al-Baqarah 2:184), without fixing a date. Aisha said that she sometimes had Ramadan days to make up and could only do so in Sha'ban, just before the next Ramadan (Bukhari, Muslim).

The difference of opinion

Because of this, many scholars allow fasting the six days of Shawwal before the make-up days, especially when someone has missed many days, while others say the special reward of the hadith needs Ramadan to be completed first. If you are unsure, ask a trusted local scholar.

In practice

• If you missed only a few days: make them up early in Shawwal, then fast the six days. Shawwal has 29 or 30 days, so there is usually enough time.
• If you missed many days (for example after childbirth or a long illness): you can follow the view that allows Shawwal first, then make up the rest before the next Ramadan.

Do not forget

Missed Ramadan fasts are a debt that must be paid, while Shawwal fasts are a bonus. Never let the voluntary fasts push the obligatory ones until it is too late. Read how to make up missed fasts and until when you can make them up.

Tips

Plan your days on a calendar right after Eid. If you can manage two or three fasts a week, you can often complete both your make-up days and the six days of Shawwal before the month ends. Check the dates on our Hijri calendar.