Answer:
It is preferred for the six days of Shawwal to be fasted immediately after ‘Eid, and for them to be consecutive, as determined by the scholars. Because that is better in order to achieve ‘the following’ which is mentioned in the Hadith:
Ëãøõ ÃóÊúÈÚóåõ
”then follow it.” [1]
And, because doing so is a form of hastening to do good, which is encouraged by the texts (of the Qur’aan and Sunnah), and for which the doer is praised. It also shows the energy and resolution, which is part of the completeness of being a worshipper. For we should not allow opportunities (to do good) to pass by, since a person does not know what lies in store for him at the end of the day. A Muslim is required to behave in this way – I mean hastening to act and seizing the opportunity in all his affairs whenever the right course of action becomes clear to him.
________________________
[1] Reported by Al-Bukhari in the Book of the Athan, in the Chapter: What is Said when the Caller is Heard (611); and by Muslim in the Book of Prayer, in the Chapter: The Recommendation of Saying What the Mu’aththin Says (384).
|
