The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan and then follows it with six days of Shawwal, it is as if they have fasted the entire year.”

This beautiful reward is based on the principle that every good deed is rewarded tenfold—30 days of Ramadan plus 6 days of Shawwal equals 360 days, the full lunar year.

But what about women who missed some days of Ramadan due to menstruation? A common and important question arises:
Can a woman combine the intention of making up missed Ramadan fasts with the intention of fasting the six days of Shawwal?

According to the majority of scholars, the answer is no. Obligatory fasts (like making up Ramadan) cannot be combined with voluntary fasts (like the six days of Shawwal) using one intention. Think of it like trying to combine Fajr prayer with its Sunnah using just two units instead of four—you simply can’t do that because one is required and one is voluntary.

So what should a woman do?

Two Scholarly Opinions:

1. Make up Ramadan first, then fast Shawwal:

This view emphasizes prioritizing what’s obligatory.

However, it may not be practical for all women, especially those with long cycles who may need to make up 10+ days.

2. Fast the six days of Shawwal first, then make up Ramadan:

This view is based on ease and practicality. The Shawwal fasts are limited to one month, whereas the missed Ramadan days can be made up anytime before the next Ramadan.

If it’s too difficult to complete both sets of fasts within Shawwal, this view allows her to still gain the reward without overburdening herself.

A Practical Tip:

If you choose to spread out your six days of Shawwal, consider fasting on Mondays and Thursdays, which are already beloved days for fasting. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said he loved to fast on those days because that’s when our deeds are presented to Allah.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Choose the path that fits your life, your health, and your responsibilities—while striving to honor both the obligations and the recommended acts.

May Allah accept all your fasts, give you strength, and grant you the reward of a whole year of fasting.