SAWM 360
The reward: a year of fasting
"Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan and then follows it with six days of fasting in the month of Shawwal, it will be as if he has fasted for the entire year."— The Prophet ﷺ, reported in Sahih Muslim
The math the scholars give: rewards are multiplied tenfold, so Ramadan counts like ten months and six days like two more — a full year. Keep it up annually and it's as if you fasted a lifetime.
The rules, quickly
- They do NOT need to be consecutive. Spread the six days across Shawwal however life allows.
- Never on Eid al-Fitr. The 1st of Shawwal is a day of celebration — fasting it is forbidden. Your window is the 2nd until the month ends.
- It's a recommended sunnah, held by the majority of scholars (Shafi'i, Hanbali, and the well-known Hanafi position).
- Missed Ramadan days first? Many scholars advise completing qada before the six, others permit the six first — follow the opinion of a scholar you trust.
Why most people only manage three or four
The six days of Shawwal fail for one boring reason: nobody counts them. After the joy of Eid, the weeks fill up, and suddenly the moon-sighting announcements say Dhul Qa'dah has begun — window closed. The fix is the same as any goal: a visible counter with reminders.
SAWM 360 tags every Shawwal day on its Hijri calendar, counts each completed fast toward your six, and shows how many days remain in the month — gentle pressure, exactly when you need it.
How to complete all six with SAWM 360
- Finish Ramadan tracked — the app knows when Eid arrives and blocks the 1st of Shawwal from fasting.
- See the Shawwal window — the 📅 Shawwal badge marks the eligible days on the calendar.
- Pick your six days — Mondays and Thursdays double as weekly sunnah — the app highlights the overlap.
- Mark each fast complete — your Shawwal count (e.g. 4/6) is always visible, with days-left in the month.
- Earn the Shawwal merit — completing all six contributes to your monthly achievement badge.
Frequently asked questions
Do the six days of Shawwal have to be consecutive?
No — you can spread them across the whole month. Only Eid al-Fitr itself (1 Shawwal) is off-limits. SAWM 360 counts whichever days you fast.
Can I fast the six days before making up missed Ramadan days?
Scholars differ. The safer course many recommend is qada first; others allow the six days first since qada has until next Ramadan. Ask a scholar you trust.
Can I combine the six days with Monday/Thursday fasts?
Yes — fasting a Shawwal day that falls on a Monday earns both sunnah rewards in most scholars' view, and SAWM 360 tags both on the same day.