Significance and Major Events of the Islamic Month Shawwal
Ramadan is the most sacred month in which the true disciples of Islam fulfill the 4th Pillar of Islam, i.e. fasting for 30 consecutive days in order to please the Almighty Allah. Do you fall back to the same routine after Ramadan and trying to uphold the activities that you have once shunt in Ramadan? Do not forgo what you have in hands and what you have achieved in the last month of Ramadan. To continue this habit even after Ramadan, Allah has blessed the Muslims with the divine month of Ramadan, Shawwal about which Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “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 had fasted the year through.” (Sahih Muslim)
The month of Shawwal is the 10th month in the Islamic calendar, Eid ul-Fitr is the start of the Holy month of Shawwal which Muslims celebrate with full of joy. Allah Almighty provided us with more blessings in the form of the 6 days of Shawwal, You can fast 6 days at any time during the month of Shawwal after Eid al-Fitr. The month of Shawwal is the only other month after Ramadan which is recommended for us to fast in.
It is considered that the practice of fasting in the month of Shawwal could serve as a wonderful way of assisting those of us who may have missed some fasts during Ramadan, as a result of illness, menstruation or traveling to make up for lost fasts. It is highly recommended to fulfill the missed fasts of Ramadan as soon as possible since this is an obligation and debt owed to Allah and this takes superiority over voluntary fasting.
Fasting in 6 days of Shawaal after having celebrated Eid ul-Fitr for three consecutive days demonstrates that a believer is humble and highly grateful to Allah SWT for all the blessings received during the festival. In the Holy Quran Almighty Allah says: “… Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.” (Quran, 2: 185)
Fasting in 6 days of Shawwal is a sign that one has increased faith in its heart than normal Muslims, it proves that this act results in attaining the Love of the Most Merciful and becoming prominent in front of Him. Narrated by Abu Hurrairah (RA): “The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, though there is good in both. Be avid for that which benefits you. Rely on Allah and do not deem yourself incapable…” (Muslim)
Major Events in the Month of Shawwal
Below mentioned are some of the Major events of the month of Shawwal:
- Hazrat Aisha (RA) got married to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) in Shawwal, 10 years after Prophet hood which is 3 years before Hijrah.
- The Battle of Uhud also took place in this month, 3 years after Hijrah.
- Abu Talib, Uncle of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) passed away from this world in the mid-Shawwal in the year 5 A.H.
- Hazrat Aisha (RA) was born in Shawwal, 4 years after Prophet hood and 9 years before Hijrah.
- The battle of Badr and Uhud took place in the month of Shawwal.
