Want to Fast on Syawal? Note the Schedule & Its Virtues Here!

Fasting on Syawal is one of the recommended Sunnah acts of worship for Muslims after observing the month of Ramadan. This fast is performed for six days in the month of Syawal and has great virtues, namely obtaining rewards equivalent to fasting for a whole year.

The time for performing the Syawal fast starts from the 2nd of Syawal until the end of the month, providing flexibility for Muslims in carrying it out.

In 2025, there will be differences in the determination of 1 Syawal 1446 H among various Islamic institutions in Indonesia. Muhammadiyah has set Eid al-Fitr to fall on Sunday, March 30, 2025, based on the method of hisab wujudul hilal they use.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) predicts that March 30, 2025, is still the 30th day of Ramadan, so Eid al-Fitr is likely to fall on Monday, March 31, 2025. Such differences are not new and often occur due to the use of different methods for determining the beginning of the Hijri month.

Despite the differences in determining the date of Eid al-Fitr, Muslims can still perform the Syawal fast by adjusting the 2nd of Syawal based on their beliefs and the guidance they follow.

Check the complete information that has been summarized on Thursday (3/4/2025).

1. Schedule for Syawal Fasting 2025

The month of Syawal is the 10th month in the Hijri calendar, marking the end of Ramadan and the beginning of the Idulfitri celebration. In 2025, the beginning of the month of Syawal 1446 H is estimated to fall on Monday, March 31, 2025. However, based on the Muhammadiyah decree, 1 Syawal 1446 H will begin earlier, on Sunday, March 30, 2025. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia states that March 30, 2025, is still the last day of Ramadan, so it is highly likely that Idulfitri will fall on Monday, March 31, 2025.

This difference is not new, as the method of determining the beginning of the Hijri month can vary among different institutions. Muhammadiyah uses the wujudul hilal method, which means the new month is considered to begin when the hilal has appeared above the horizon at sunset, without needing to be seen directly. Meanwhile, the Indonesian government applies a combination of the rukyat and hisab methods, which involves directly observing the hilal and calculating the position of the moon to determine the beginning of the Hijri month.

During the month of Syawal, Muslims are encouraged to perform several sunnah acts of worship, one of which is fasting for six days in the month of Syawal. This fasting can be done from the 2nd of Syawal until the end of the month and has extraordinary virtues. In the book 'Shalat dan Puasa Sunah' by Ceceng et al. (2012), it is explained that fasting for six days in the month of Syawal carries a reward equivalent to fasting for a whole year. In addition, Muslims are also encouraged to observe the Ayyamul Bidh fast, which is a sunnah fast on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of each Hijri month. In 2025, the Ayyamul Bidh fast in the month of Syawal falls on April 12 to 14, 2025.

2. The Virtues of Syawal Fasting

Receiving Rewards Equivalent to Fasting a Whole Year

The Syawal fast has extraordinary virtues, where its reward is equated with the act of fasting for a whole year. This refers to the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) narrated by Imam Muslim:

"Whoever fasts in Ramadan, then continues with six days in the month of Syawal, will have the reward of fasting for a year." (HR Muslim).

This explanation refers to the word of Allah SWT, which states that every good deed will receive a tenfold reward.

This means, "Whoever brings a good deed will have (reward) ten times the deed." (QS.Al-An'am [6]: 160)

Completing the Worship of Ramadan Fasting

The Syawal fast also serves as a complement to the fasting worship that has been carried out during the month of Ramadan. Like the sunnah rawatib prayers that complement the obligatory prayers, the Syawal fast becomes a form of completion that is recommended so that the fasting worship is even more perfect in the eyes of Allah SWT.

Moreover, performing this sunnah fast shows enthusiasm in worship and maintains the good habits that have been built during Ramadan to continue in the following months.

Expression of Gratitude to Allah SWT

One important reason for observing the Syawal fast is as a form of gratitude for all the blessings and favors that Allah SWT has granted during the month of Ramadan. During that month, Muslims receive many virtues, such as forgiveness of sins and multiplied rewards.

This is in line with the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him):

"Whoever fasts in Ramadan with faith and hopes for reward and pleasure from Allah, then their past sins will be forgiven." [in another narration]: "Whoever spends the night of Ramadan with faith and hopes for reward and pleasure from Allah, then their past sins will be forgiven." (HR Bukhari and Muslim)

Perfecting the Reward of Fasting

The sunnah fast of Syawal also serves as a way to perfect the reward from the worship of Ramadan fasting. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)... has emphasized that those who continue fasting for six days in the month of Syawal will receive extraordinary rewards.

This special merit serves as motivation for Muslims to maintain consistency in worship even after the month of Ramadan has ended.

3. Regulations for Syawal Fasting

The Syawal fast is a highly recommended Sunnah act of worship for Muslims after the month of Ramadan. Although it is not obligatory, this fast holds great merit, namely receiving rewards equivalent to fasting for a full year. However, there are several provisions that need to be observed to ensure that this worship is performed correctly and in accordance with Islamic teachings.

1. Can Only Be Done in the Month of Syawal

The first provision in performing the Syawal fast is that it is only valid if done in the month of Syawal. This means that if someone wishes to perform it, it must be done within the timeframe after Eid al-Fitr, starting from the 2nd of Syawal until the end of the month. If someone misses the month of Syawal without fasting for six days, they cannot make it up in another month because the merit of this fast is specifically granted to those who perform it within the designated time.

2. Preferably Done in Sequence

Although the Syawal fast can be performed separately over six days in the month of Syawal, scholars state that it is preferable to do it consecutively. Carrying out this fast without interruption demonstrates seriousness in worship and enthusiasm to achieve the promised virtues. However, if someone has obstacles and cannot perform it consecutively, they may still fast separately, as long as it is still within the month of Syawal. This flexibility provides ease for Muslims in carrying out worship according to their individual circumstances.

3. Completing Qadha Fasting First

For someone who still has a debt of fasting from Ramadan, they are required to make up for the missed fasts before performing the Syawal fast. This is in accordance with the principle that obligations must take precedence over performing sunnah acts. A Muslim who has a debt of fasting due to illness, travel, or other reasons during Ramadan should ideally complete their qadha fasts first so that the Syawal fasting performed is more perfect and in accordance with the provisions of Islamic law.

(kpl/ses)

Disclaimer: This translation from Bahasa Indonesia to English has been generated by Artificial Intelligence.