Peace Be Upon You. I would like to ask about fasting the six days of Shawwal. Should I make up the days I missed in Ramadan first and then fast the six days of Shawwal, or can I fast the six days of Shawwal and then make up the days later at my leisure?

Answer

Praise Be to Allah and Peace Be Upon His Messenger.

Muslim scholars have different opinions regarding your questions. Some say optional fasting in Shawwal should not precede obligatory compensation. Others say, you can fast the six optional days of Shawwal before compensation keeping in mind that compensation is a priority. The Higher Palestinian Legal Verdict Council published on their homepage the ruling of such a case. They say: “The most appropriate deed is to make up any missing days firstly; however, if one fasts the six days of Shawwal, this will be also allowed depending of what is narrated about ‘Aisha RRA who was known that she used to delay compensation till Sha’ban.