Chapter 43: The Six Fasts of Shawwaal
Haafidh Ibn Rajab al-Hanbalee (d.795) [May Allaah have Mercy on him] says in his book Lataa'if al-Ma'aarif (Pg. 169-174)
Returning back to fasting after Ramadhaan brings various benefits, from them include the following:
-Fasting these six days increases our reward to the extent that it is like we have fasted a whole lifetime
-Fasting these six and before Ramadhaan in Sha’baan are like optional deeds one does before the obligatory, similar to Salaah, we pray recommended prayers before and after the obligatory one
-It removes any deficiency or shortcomings in the obligatory fasts. Everyone has shortcomings in their worship so we are all in need of trying to make it perfect as we can compensate for these shortcomings in the obligatory acts of worship in recommended ones. For this reason the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, “Do not say I fasted the whole of Ramadhaan or I stood for all of it.” The Companions [May Allaah be Pleased with him] explained that this is to prevent anyone giving themselves self-praise.
‘Umar bin ‘Abdul-‘Azeez [May Allaah have Mercy on him] used to say, “If someone is not able to give Zakaat al-Fitr then he should fast these days as they will compensate for any shortcomings in his worship and in his Eemaan.”
-Also from the benefits of fasting these six is that it is a sign that one’s acts of worship is accepted is that doing good deeds for this person becomes easy for him to do. Some of the Salaf used to say that the reward for doing good deeds is being able to do more good deeds afterwards. So the one who does good deeds and then continues in doing good deeds has been giving a sign that his deeds are being accepted. Likewise, if one does a good deed and then follows it with a bad then this is a sign that his good deeds haven’t been accepted.
-From the benefits of fasting these is that it shows thanks to Allaah that He has Forgiven them their sins in Ramadhaan and, as we have explained before, they are forgiven their sins on the last day of Ramadhaan and given their rewards at the completion of the month, thus fasting these days is a form of showing thanks to Allaah for these blessings. The Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] would stand for long hours during the night and when asked why when his sins where forgiven, he replied by saying, “Should I not be a thankful slave?” Likewise, Allaah, the Most High, has ordered us to be thankful for the blessings given to us by remembering Him, “He wants that you must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah [(i.e. to say Takbeer or Allaahu-Akbar) on seeing the crescent of the months of Ramadan and Shawwal] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him.” [al-Baqarah 2:185]
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