The Law of Fasting on the Third Day of Eid al-Fitr: What You Need to Know in Islam?

Kapanlagi.com - After observing the fast of Ramadan for a full month, Muslims are encouraged to continue their worship with the six days of sunnah fasting in the month of Shawwal. This fast has great virtues, as mentioned in the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad SAW that those who fast during Ramadan and then follow it with six days in Shawwal will receive a reward equivalent to fasting for an entire year.

However, questions often arise among Muslims about whether it is permissible to start fasting in Shawwal on the 3rd day after Eid al-Fitr. Considering there is a prohibition against fasting on feast days, some people are uncertain whether fasting can be done right at the beginning of the month of Shawwal.

Here is the complete explanation.

1. The Law of Fasting on the 3rd Day of Eid al-Fitr

In Islam, fasting is prohibited on the 1st of Shawwal, which is the day of Eid al-Fitr. This is based on the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad SAW:

"Indeed, the Messenger of Allah forbade fasting on two days: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha." (HR. Bukhari and Muslim)

However, after the 1st of Shawwal has passed, Muslims are allowed to resume fasting, including observing the Sunnah fast of Shawwal. According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, ideally, the Shawwal fast should be performed starting from the 2nd of Shawwal and can be done consecutively or separately until the end of the month of Shawwal.

Thus, fasting on the 3rd day of Eid al-Fitr is permitted and is not something that is prohibited in Islam. In fact, that day is included in the recommended time to observe the Shawwal fast.

2. Must the Shawwal Fasting Be Consecutive?

Many people ask whether the Shawwal fasting must be done for six consecutive days after Eid al-Fitr or if it can be done separately. The Shawwal fast can be performed either consecutively or non-consecutively, as long as it is still within the month of Shawwal.

Sheikh Ibn Hajar al-Haitami in his book Tuhfatul Muhtaj explains that a person can choose any six days in the month of Shawwal according to their opportunity. Fasting can be done consecutively from the 2nd to the 7th of Shawwal, or separated on other days, such as Monday and Thursday.

This means that if someone wants to start the Shawwal fast from the 3rd day of Eid al-Fitr and do it either consecutively or separately, their fast remains valid and they will receive the reward.

3. The Virtues of Shawwal Fasting

The Shawwal fast has many virtues, including:

Rewards like fasting for a whole year

The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: "Whoever fasts during Ramadan and then continues with six days of Shawwal, it is as if he has fasted for a whole year." (HR. Muslim)

A sign of the acceptance of Ramadan fasting

Someone who continues to fast after Ramadan shows that they want to remain steadfast in their worship. This can be a sign that their fasting during Ramadan has been accepted by Allah SWT.

Increasing piety

Observing the Shawwal fast trains patience, enhances piety, and helps a person to maintain their worship habits after the month of Ramadan ends.

4. Intention and Procedure for Shawwal Fasting

The Shawwal fast has the same procedure as other fasts, which is to abstain from eating, drinking, and anything that breaks the fast from dawn until sunset.

Intention for Shawwal Fasting

The intention for Shawwal fasting can be made at night or in the morning before noon, as long as one has not done anything that invalidates the fast.

Intention at night:

Nawaitu shauma ghadin 'an ad'i sunnatis Syawwli lillhi ta'l

(I intend to fast the Sunnah of Shawwal tomorrow for the sake of Allah Ta'ala.)

Intention during the day:

Nawaitu shauma hdzal yaumi 'an ad'i sunnatisy Syawwli lillhi ta'l

(I intend to fast the Sunnah of Shawwal today for the sake of Allah Ta'ala.)

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(kpl/frr)