The ruling on the shawwal fast according to Islamic law

Alongside the fulfillment of obligatory acts of worship, Muslims strive to perform supererogatory acts of worship in the best possible manner in order to attain the pleasure of Allah and to follow the Sunnah of the Prophet. Although extensive and systematic studies have been conducted on certain supererogatory acts, others have not been examined in sufficient depth. One such topic is the voluntary fasting observed in the month of Shawwal. While Muslims attach importance to the Shawwal fast, the lack of a comprehensive study on its place in the Sunnah has led to various confusions. Some jurists have declared the Shawwal fast to be reprehensible, whereas others have classified it among supererogatory fasts. This divergence of opinion forms the foundation of this study. In this study, we gathered the hadiths of the Prophet on this subject and compiled the opinions of early jurists and madhhab founders, making extensive use of classical sources. We also analyzed the disputed aspects in detail by addressing them under separate sections. Among the debated issues are: the authenticity of the transmission chains related to the Shawwal fast, its comparison to the reprehensible practice of siyâm al-dahr, the concern that it may be perceived as obligatory despite being voluntary, the remarks of Imam Mâlik, and an interpretation equating this fast numerically with the reward of a year's fasting. This study aims to provide readers with comprehensive information and findings regarding the place of the Shawwal fast in the Sunnah, while also addressing controversial aspects and offering a critical analysis. It has been found that numerous reports exist about the Shawwal fast, and among these chains of transmission, both weak and authentic narrations are present. According to Ibn Rushd, Imam Mālik himself observed the Shawwal fast. It is understood that Imam Mâlik's rationale for describing the fast as reprehensible was his concern that public trust in him might lead the common people to perceive this practice as a religious innovation. The view that siyâm al-dahr is reprehensible appears to stem from the burden and hardship it imposes on the fasting person. However, the Shawwal fast lacks such difficulty; rather, it is understood that the Prophet recommended it precisely to avoid such hardship.