It is permissible to fast on the second day of Shawwaal?

Q) Is it permissible to make up a missed fast on the second or third day of Eid?

A) Praise be to Allaah.

Eid al-Fitr lasts for just one day, which is the first day of Shawwaal.

With regard to the commonly-held belief among people, that Eid al-Fitr lasts for three days, this is merely a custom that is known among the people, and has nothing to do with any shar’i rulings.

Al-Bukhaari (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

Chapter: Fasting on the day of al-Fitr.

Then he narrated (1992) that Abu Sa’eed (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade fasting on the day of al-Fitr and al-Nahr.

Based on this, the day of al-Fitr is just one day, on which it is haraam to fast, As for the second and third days of Shawwaal, it is not haraam to fast those days; it is permissible to fast it to make up a missed Ramadaan fast or as a voluntary fast.

And Allaah knows best.


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