Question: Is the fasting of the six days (of Shawwaal) a must after the month of Ramadan immediately after the day of ‘Eid, or is it permissible (to do so) after ‘Eid by (a number of) days in the month of Shawwaal or not?
Response: It is not a must for him to fast immediately after ‘Eid al-fitr, rather it is permissible to begin fasting after ‘Eid by a day or (a number of) days. And (also) to fast them continuously or intermittently in the month of Shawwaal according to that which is easy for him. And the issue is quite open in this matter, and it is not obligatory, rather it is a Sunnah.
And with Allah lies all the success, and may Allah send prayers and salutations upon our Prophet Muhammad (sal-Allahu `alayhi wa sallam) and his family and his companions.
The Permanent Committee for Islaamic Research and Fataawa, comprising –
Head: Shaykh ‘Abdul ‘Azeez ibn Abdullaah ibn Baaz;
Deputy Head: Shaykh ‘Abdur-Razzaaq ‘Afeefee;
Member: Shaykh ‘Abdullaah Ibn Ghudayyaan;
Member: Shaykh ‘Abdullaah Ibn Qu’ood
Fataawa Ramadan – Volume 2, Page 693, Fatwa No.698;
Fataawa al-Lajnah ad-Daa.imah lil-Buhooth al-’Ilmiyyah wal-Iftaa. – Fatwa No. 3475
(This can be found on http://www.fatwa-online.com/fataawa/worship/fasting/fas009/0000111_2.htm)
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