Making the intention to do qadha of ramadan and gain the virtue of shawwal

If a woman makes up her missed fasts of Ramadan during the month of Shawwal, will she receive the reward of nafl (voluntary) fasting (e.g. the six voluntary fasts) in the month of Shawwal? If yes, does she need to make intention for both?

 بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما

Fasting six days of Shawwal is extremely rewarding and its virtue has been mentioned in different ahadith. However, these fasts should be separate from the fasts of Ramadan. Thus, one would not gain this specific virtue by making up missed fasts from Ramadan. Consider the following narration:

Abu Ayyub Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah  (may Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan and thereafter fast for six extra days in the month of Shawwal, it is as if they fasted the whole year.” 

(Muslim)

It is clear from the wording of the aforementioned narration that these six fasts are meant to be in addition to the fast of Ramadan. Furthermore, Imam Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) has mentioned that the reasoning behind this reward is the general principle that Allah rewards each good deed ten fold. Thus, when one fasts for the month of Ramadan along with six days of Shawwal, they would have fasted for 35 or 36 days which would gain them the reward of fasting for 360 days (approximately one year).

والله اعلم

Allah Knows best.

Approved by: Mufti Husain Ahmad Madani