Shawwal 2025 | The month of reward

Shawwal is the 10th month of the Islamic (hijri) calendar and begins its first day with Eid Al-Fitr. It is renowned for the six days of Shawwal, which are six supererogatory fasts that hold immense reward. It is often regarded as a precious time to reflect on and continue the goodness that we have become habituated to in the preceding month: the blessed month of Ramadan.

With our spirituality renewed, we all want to keep hold of that feeling at the end of Ramadan – that closeness to Allah. SubhanAllah, the deeds most loved by Allah are those done regularly – even if they are small.

“…The most beloved deed to Allah is the most regular and constant even if it were little.” (Bukhari)

So don’t let go of that feeling – hold on to Allah’s love.

The first day of Shawwal begins on Eid Al-Fitr.

For this year, it began on  the 30th of March 2025 for most Muslims.

Shawwal 2025 is expected to end on 28th April, dependent on the sighting of the moon.

The first day of Shawwal is also when Muslims celebrate Eid Al-Fitr, uniting to enjoy the reward of observing the holy month of Ramadan. This is one of the two annual festivals recognised by the Shari’ah. It celebrates the completion of the month of worship: Ramadan. Muslims attend the Eid prayer on this day and pay Sadaqat ul-Fitr. It is a day of celebration.

Shawwal is the first of three months (before the month of Dhul Hijjah) in which some of the acts of Hajj can begin to be performed, such as the Tawaf of Arrival. The period of Hajj also begins in Shawwal, which is otherwise called Ash-hur Al-Hajj or the months of Hajj.

The month of Shawwal is the month following the holy month of Ramadan and in it, there is the opportunity for great reward for worshippers as outlined by the Messenger of Allah (pbuh). Muslims have the opportunity to fast the six days of Shawwal, which are voluntary fasts that can be completed at any time throughout the month, before the end of Shawwal. The six days of Shawwal are recommended as a means of redeeming any shortcomings in the quality of our fasts in the month of Ramadan and are equivalent to a year of fasting if accepted by Allah (SWT).

The first day of Shawwal is also when Muslims celebrate Eid Al-Fitr, uniting to enjoy the reward of observing the holy month of Ramadan. This is one of the two annual festivals recognised by the Shari’ah. It celebrates the completion of the month of worship: Ramadan. Muslims attend the Eid prayer on this day and pay Sadaqat ul-Fitr. It is a day of celebration.

Shawwal is the first of three months (before the month of Dhul Hijjah) in which some of the acts of Hajj can begin to be performed, such as the Tawaf of Arrival. The period of Hajj also begins in Shawwal, which is otherwise called Ash-hur Al-Hajj or the months of Hajj.

Ibn Rajab (ra) said that fasting the 6 days of Shawwal would be a way of demonstrating our gratitude to Allah (SWT) for the blessings, mercy, and reward that Ramadan has to offer.

“[Allah 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” [Qur’an 2:185]

This month can also be a very important time for reflecting on the good habits cultivated throughout the month of Ramadan, and centring the mind, body, and soul for the remainder of the year and beyond.