As Ramadan comes to a close, we pray that Allah accepts your fasts, your du'as, your acts of worship, and your sincere efforts — and that He allows those deeds to continue bearing fruit in your life. May your final destination be with our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), his family, and his noble companions.

For many of us, Ramadan leaves behind a spiritual void — the late-night prayers, the Quran reflections, the powerful series we followed daily, the unity in our homes and communities. It truly was a blessed season. But just because Ramadan has ended doesn’t mean our connection with Allah should fade.

The month of Shawwal presents us with a precious opportunity to sustain the spiritual growth we gained. This is the “post-workout” month — a time to recover, maintain momentum, and show that the trajectory we set during Ramadan is one we intend to keep.

One powerful way to do that? Fasting six days of Shawwal.

The Lifetime Reward

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that whoever fasts the month of Ramadan and follows it with six days of Shawwal, it is as if they have fasted for a lifetime. Why? Because every deed is multiplied by ten. One month of Ramadan equals ten months. Six days of Shawwal? Sixty days. That adds up to a full year — and if done consistently each year, it’s as if you fasted your entire life.

What If I Still Have Fasts to Make Up?

This is a common concern. Some scholars say it’s best to make up missed fasts of Ramadan before fasting the six days of Shawwal — because the obligatory always takes priority over the voluntary. Others, including the majority, allow fasting the six days first, since the window for them is limited while makeup fasts can be done anytime in the year.

If you only have a few fasts to make up and feel confident you can complete both in time, it's best to make up your Ramadan fasts first. But if you’re unsure you’ll manage both, fast the six days first, then make up your missed fasts as soon as possible. This approach helps you catch the immense reward of Shawwal without losing sight of your obligations.

Do I Need to Fast Them All at Once?

Fasting the six days consecutively after Eid is a great way to build consistency and keep up the rhythm from Ramadan. But spacing them out is also allowed — and it can help you build a regular habit. You can even combine these days with other sunnah fasts, such as fasting on Mondays and Thursdays or on the white days (13th, 14th, 15th of each lunar month). Just remember: while you can't combine obligatory and voluntary fasts into one, you can combine multiple voluntary intentions — like fasting a Monday that also happens to be one of the six days.

Don’t Stop the Good Deeds

While fasting, try to keep some of your Ramadan habits alive. Recite Quran, give charity, make du'a, and strive to maintain a heart connected to Allah. Even small acts of remembrance or helping others can bring immense reward.

This isn’t just about catching a reward — it’s about proving to ourselves that our faith isn’t seasonal. Shawwal is our first test post-Ramadan: Will we keep going or fall back?

May Allah allow all of us to fast the six days of Shawwal, to continue the good we began in Ramadan, and to grow closer to Him every day of the year. May He grant us the best of this world and the next, and reunite us with the Prophet (peace be upon him) in the highest levels of Paradise.

Keep tuning in, keep learning, keep striving. Ramadan may be over — but the journey is far from done.