Q:

Assalam Alaikum

Hope this message is reached with good health and iman inshallah.  I had a question concerning the 6 optional fasts in Shawwal.  (1)First of all, when are we suppose to fast it? (2) Do we wait until one day after Eid or after 3 days? (3) Should these fasts be made consecutively in the month?  (4) Secondly, if a woman needs to make up her obligatory fasts which she missed during Ramadan due to her menses, can she fast the 6 days of Shawwal? Or must she first make her obligatory fasts before she does the optional fasts?

JAK

Time: Friday September 18, 2009

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Wish you and your family the very same, Ameen

(1)    On the 2nd of shawal

(2)    Eid-ul-fitr fast begins the day after the eid. (eid-ul-adha has the three day rule you are possibly referring to.)

(3)    Yes, for that is one of the sunnah aspects of it. (If one cannot do it this way for a valid reason, the can try on another day during the same month)

(4)    It is best for her to do her fard make up then do an act of Nafl. If she is great health, then she can do the nafl and thereafter do her make up fast. The former would be more prefered

Allah Certainly Knows Best