Shawwal

Shawwal is the tenth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, occurring after Ramadan and before Dhu al-Hijjah. Like other lunar months, Shawwal lasts 29 or 30 days, depending on the sighting of the moon. Because the Islamic calendar is lunar, the start of Shawwal moves earlier in the solar year by about 10–11 days each year.

Shawwal is notable for Eid al-Fitr, the festival marking the end of Ramadan. Eid is observed on the first day of Shawwal with special prayers, feasting, and charitable giving. Zakat al-Fitr, a form of charity due before the Eid prayer, is typically paid during the last days of Ramadan or the first day of Shawwal.

Some Muslims observe six days of voluntary fasting in Shawwal after Eid, based on a hadith that rewards fasting for six days as if for the whole year. This practice is optional and varies by individual and community.

Name and usage: Shawwal is the traditional designation of the month in the Islamic calendar and is widely used in Muslim communities around the world. The month, like Ramadan, is Islamic-only and follows a lunar cycle, causing its Gregorian calendar dates to shift each year.