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As we complete the six days of fasting in Shawwal, tomorrow marks a sacred celebration, the 7th of Shawwal: ‘Eid al-Abrar—the Eid of the Righteous. This day is for those honored by Allah ﷻ for fasting not just in Ramadan, but also six additional days in Shawwal, as encouraged by the Prophet ﷺ.
وَعَنْ أَبِي أَيُّوبَ اَلْأَنْصَارِيِّ - رضى الله عنه - أَنَّ رَسُولَ اَللَّهِ - صلى الله عليه وسلم -قَالَ: { مَنْ صَامَ رَمَضَانَ, ثُمَّ أَتْبَعَهُ سِتًّا مِنْ شَوَّالٍ كَانَ كَصِيَامِ اَلدَّهْرِ } رَوَاهُ مُسْلِمٌ .
"Whoever fasts Ramadan and follows it with six days of Shawwal, it will be as if he fasted for a lifetime." (Muslim, Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi, An-Nisa'i & Ibn Majah)
This is based on Allah's generosity, where every good deed is multiplied by ten. Thirty days of Ramadan multiplied by ten equals 300 days. Add six days of Shawwal, multiplied by ten, and you receive 60 more. Altogether, it equals 360 days of reward—like fasting a full year.
This hidden gem of fasting is not just a continuation of discipline but a step toward ‘Eid al-Abrar, a spiritual Eid beyond the outward one. It is the Eid of those purified by obedience, consistency, and love for the Divine.
If a woman missed days of fasting in Ramadan (excused) and she makes them up during Shawwal, those days can count as the six days of fasting in Shawwal. If someone did not fast these first days of Shawwal, they can still celebrate 'Eid al-Abraar and fast those six days later in Shawwal and receive the same reward, inshaAllah.
While Dhikr (remembrance of Allah) is powerful, it is suhbah—the spiritual companionship—that completes the path. Mawlana Shaykh often reminded us that dhikr purifies the tongue and heart, but suhbah is the engine that propels the seeker. Shah Naqshband (ق) said:
"طريقتنا الصحبة والخير في الجمعية"
"Our way is companionship, and goodness lies in the gathering."
The power of suhbah is not metaphorical. Grandshaykh once instructed the relocation of the grave of a saint, Shaykh Hassan al-Jibawi (ق), in Damascus. Upon opening the grave, his body was found fresh, with the smell of roses emanating from it—a sign of sainthood confirmed by constant Dhikr and spiritual purity.
In another teaching, Grandshaykh said:
"مجلس ذكر يكون كفارة لسبعين مجلس سوء"
“One gathering of Dhikr erases the sins of seventy sinful gatherings.”
This is the immense mercy of Allah ﷻ and the power of collective remembrance.
No one can know the reality of Allah’s Divine Essence, nor the essence of the Prophet ﷺ. Yet, through his light, Awliyaullah (saints) are granted access to knowledge and guidance. Mawlana Shaykh often said the light of the Prophet ﷺ shines from the Dome beneath the Throne (‘Arsh), known as the Dome of Provisions. From this dome, the Prophet’s ﷺ light spreads, and it is there that saints go to receive spiritual insight.
Shaykh Abu Yazid al-Bistami (ق) once asked Allah ﷻ for knowledge of ma’rifat—divine intimate knowing. But a voice came to his heart saying, “Go sit with that one.” Though he was a great saint, he was directed to learn from a humble shoemaker. Following a beautiful scent, he found the man repairing shoes and sat with him for over three hours.
Afterward, Abu Yazid confessed:
"If I had worshiped from the beginning of time until Judgment Day, I would not have reached the knowledge I received in those hours of suhbah with that qutb (spiritual pole)."
This echoes a lesson from the Qur'an. When Allah taught Adam (as) the hidden names and knowledges:
"وَعَلَّمَ آدَمَ ٱلْأَسْمَآءَ كُلَّهَا ثُمَّ عَرَضَهُمْ عَلَى ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ فَقَالَ أَنبِـُٔونِى بِأَسْمَآءِ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ"
“And He taught Adam the names—all of them. Then He presented them to the angels and said, ‘Inform Me of the names of these, if you are truthful.”
—[Surah al-Baqarah 2:31]
The angels responded:
"قَالُوا۟ سُبْحَـٰنَكَ لَا عِلْمَ لَنَآ إِلَّا مَا عَلَّمْتَنَآ ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلْعَلِيمُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ"
“They said, ‘Glory be to You; we have no knowledge except what You have taught us. Indeed, it is You who is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.’”
—[Surat al-Baqarah 2:32]
This shows that divine knowledge is not attained by effort alone, but through receiving—by companionship and Divine favor.
As we mark ‘Eid al-Abrar, remember it is not just a celebration after fasting. It is a sign of having been drawn closer to Allah ﷻ through patience, remembrance, and sincere companionship.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"المرء مع من أحب"
“A person is with the one he loves.”
—[Sahih al-Bukhari]
May Allah grant us the company of the righteous, and accept our fasting, our dhikr, and our love. May He allow us to experience the light of ‘Eid al-Abrar in our hearts, and walk the path of those He calls Abrar—the truly righteous.
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