One Ummah News - 17 Apr 2025
Shawwal follows Ramadan and offers immense rewards for worshippers. Learn about its virtues, fasting, and Eid with One Ummah.
Did you know that following Ramadan by fasting the six days of Shawwal counts as though you have fasted an entire year?
As the blessed month of Ramadan leaves us for another year, Allahﷻ, in His infinite Mercy, has ordained that the end of Ramadan signals the beginning of another divine opportunity––the month of Shawwal. Far from being just a transition, Shawwal is a gift, a chance to carry the light of Ramadan and the benefits of Shawwal fasting in our hearts throughout the entire year
This is the month where the sweetness of Eid al-Fitr fills the air, where families embrace, hearts reconcile, and the poor are remembered. A month where six days of Shawwal fasting become a means of drawing closer to Allahﷻ and earning rewards as if we had fasted an entire year. And for those blessed with the call of Hajj, Shawwal marks the first steps of a sacred journey––a journey of purification, sacrifice and divine nearness.
In this guide to Shawwal, we’ll explore:
✔ Shawwal’s significance in Islamic history
✔ Shawwal 2025 key dates and moon sighting
✔ The power of the 6 fasts of Shawwal (with a step-by-step guide)
✔ The most optimal Shawwal fasting plan for maximising your rewards
✔ Shawwal’s connection to Hajj
✔ Why Shawwal matters
✔ How to sustain Ramadan’s spirit beyond the holy month
The month of Shawwal (شَوَّال) derives its name from the Arabic root "shāla" (شَالَ), meaning "to rise" or "to elevate." This beautifully reflects the believer’s journey—after the intense spiritual climb of Ramadan, Shawwal becomes a time to sustain that elevation, marking the spiritual benefits of Shawwal fasting.
As the 10th month of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar, Shawwal lasts 29 or 30 days. Shawwal marks the transition from Ramadan’s sanctity to Dhul Qa’dah—one of the four sacred Islamic months.
Unlike the Gregorian (solar) calendar, the Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycle, with each month spanning 29-30 days (totaling ~354 days a year). This means Shawwal—and all Islamic months—shift ~11 days earlier annually, allowing believers to experience its blessings in different seasons throughout their lives.
Shawwal carries deep and meaningful lessons from Islamic history and faith, highlighting Shawwal’s historical significance:
The Battle of Uhud (3 AH) took place in Shawwal, just after Ramadan—a divine reminder that our Emaan (faith) is tested beyond Ramadan, and true devotion requires steadfastness in all circumstances.
Eid al-Fitr, the joyous celebration marking Ramadan’s end, falls on the first day of Shawwal, teaching us to balance gratitude with continued worship.
Six days of Shawwal fasting, coupled with Ramadan, carries the reward of fasting a full year.
For those performing Hajj, Shawwal marks the early preparations for Dhul Hijjah’s sacred journey.
Shawwal is not an "exit" from Ramadan, but an extension of its spirit. Faith isn’t meant for one month alone. The true test of our Emaan begins now, not in intensity, but consistency. It is equally as important that we keep the discipline alive, our gratitude present, and connection with Allahﷻ strong.
The start and end of Shawwal—like all Islamic months—depends on the actual sighting of the crescent moon (hilal). Key points to note:
Local vs. Global Sighting: Differences in moon visibility across regions may lead to variations in Eid declarations. Some communities follow local sightings, while others rely on confirmed sightings from Muslim-majority countries.
Islamic Unity & Flexibility: While these differences exist, they reflect the diversity and adaptability within the Ummah, all while preserving the Sunnah method of moon observation.
Preparing for Dhul Qa’dah: As Shawwal ends, the next sacred month, Dhul Qa’dah, begins, ushering in the Hajj season for those embarking on the blessed pilgrimage.
The Prophetﷺ said: "Whoever fasts Ramadan and follows it with six days of Shawwal, it is as if he fasted a lifetime." –[Muslim]
This promise reveals Allah’sﷻ infinite mercy through divine calculation:
30 days of Ramadan × 10 rewards = 300 days
6 days of Shawwal × 10 rewards = 60 days
Total = 360 days (a full year!)
Maximise your rewards by combining Shawwal fasts with other virtuous days:
Thu, Apr 10 (12 Shawwal) – 1st of 6 Shawwal fasts
Fri, Apr 11 (13 Shawwal) – White Day + Jumu’ah
Sat, Apr 12 (14 Shawwal) – White Day
Sun, Apr 13 (15 Shawwal) – White Day
Mon, Apr 14 (16 Shawwal) – White Day + Sunnah
Thu, Apr 17 (19 Shawwal) – Final Shawwal fast + Sunnah
First complete any missed Ramadan fasts (obligatory before voluntary). Then observe the 6 Shawwal fasts (can be consecutive or spread out).
Avoid Prohibited Days:
Fasting on Eid al-Fitr (1st Shawwal) is strictly forbidden. Boost Your Niyyah:
These fasts maintain the spiritual momentum of Ramadan.
Combine with White Days (Al-Ayyam Al-Beed) and Monday/Thursday Sunnah fasts for multiplied rewards.
These six days are not just about fasting—they’re about proving your love for Allahﷻ beyond Ramadan. Seize this chance to turn a month of worship into a whole year of rewards.
Shawwal is one of the three sacred months of Hajj, along with Dhul Qa'dah and Dhul Hijjah. For Hajj 2025, pilgrims may begin their sacred journey as early as Shawwal by performing:
Tawaf al-Qudum (Arrival Circumambulation) upon reaching Makkah. Sa'i between Safa and Marwa (can be done early or combined with Hajj rites)
The Prophetﷺ said: "Whoever consistently seeks forgiveness, Allah will grant him relief from every worry." –[Abu Dawud]
Purify your heart with daily repentance ("Astaghfirullah")
Begin making special supplications for acceptance of your Hajj, safety during travel, and spiritual enlightenment
Recite “Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik” frequently to cultivate Hajj consciousness
Book flights and accommodations well in advance (Makkah becomes increasingly crowded).Complete all necessary vaccinations and travel documents
Start walking regularly to build stamina for Hajj rituals. Consult your doctor if you have any health concerns
Ensure all Hajj expenses are from halal source. Pay any outstanding debts before departing
The transition from Ramadan to Shawwal is a chance to solidify the spiritual growth we achieved throughout Ramadan. While the intensity of our Ibadah is at its peak during Ramadan, Shawwal offers a structured path to sustain that momentum, ensuring our connection with Allah remains strong throughout the year.
The key to lasting spiritual progress lies in consistency. The Qur’an encourages us to maintain regular recitation—even if it’s just one page per day—to keep our hearts attached to the Divine Word. Similarly, continuing the habit of night prayers, even if it’s just two rak’ahs before bed, ensures our nights are filled with Islam. Charity should also continue through the month of Shawwal.
The great scholar Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali (رحمه الله) beautifully described Shawwal as a month of gratitude. Fasting its six days, he explained, is the believer’s way of expressing thankfulness for Ramadan’s blessings. This act of worship transforms our post-Ramadan experience from one of farewell to one of continuity, where gratitude becomes the bridge between sacred seasons.
Shawwal’s practices serve as a cure to "Ramadan withdrawal", the emotional and spiritual dip many feel after the month ends. By gradually transitioning into Sunnah fasts and maintaining key worship habits, believers can avoid abrupt spiritual drops. Moreover, this approach cultivates discipline, training us to worship Allahﷻ with dedication, not just in Ramadan, but all year long.
In essence, Shawwal isn’t just another month—it’s Allah’sﷻ mercy in action, giving us the tools to turn Ramadan’s temporary intensity into a permanent transformation.
As we are blessed by the arrival of Shawwal, Allahﷻ in His infinite mercy has placed within it a spiritual treasure—six simple days that carry the weight of an entire year of fasting. This is no ordinary opportunity; it’s a divine invitation.
The Qur’an powerfully reminds us: "And hasten towards forgiveness from your Lord and a Paradise as vast as the heavens and the earth, prepared for those mindful of Allah." –[3:133]. This is your moment to race towards that mercy.
Mark your calendar for April 10–17, 2025—your gateway to a year’s worth of rewards. Share this knowledge with loved ones—reviving the Sunnah collectively multiplies the blessings. And finally, remember: the greatest worshippers aren’t those who shine only in Ramadan, but those whose light continues to glow long after.
May Allahﷻ accept our Ramadan, grant us the consistency to fast Shawwal, and make us among those who never stop racing toward His pleasure. Ameen.