Fasting the Six Days of Shawwal and Making Up Missed Days

Question:
Continuing righteous deeds after Ramadan. You mentioned this, may Allah preserve you. Regarding fasting the six days of Shawwal, should they be consecutive or scattered? And what should one start with: the days of Ramadan that were not fasted?

Answer:
It is recommended to fast the six days of Shawwal based on the hadith reported on this matter: “Whoever fasts Ramadan and then follows it with six days of Shawwal is like one who fasted the entire year.” This is because one good deed is rewarded ten times over; the month of Ramadan counts as ten months, and the six days count as two months, so by that, it is as if he fasted the whole year of twelve months. It is recommended to fast these six days, and there is flexibility in fasting them. If he wishes, he may fast them at the beginning of Shawwal; if he wishes, in the middle; if he wishes, at the end; if he wishes, consecutively; or if he wishes, scattered. This is because the hadith is general: “follows it with six days of Shawwal.” It is general and flexible regarding how to fast them. There is also flexibility in making up the missed days of Ramadan: he makes up what he owes from Ramadan and then fasts the six days of Shawwal. There is no hardship in this. Yes.