What should a woman do first: fast the six recommended days of Shawwal or fast the days she missed in Ramadan?

If she wants to earn the reward mentioned in the hadeeth of the Prophet ﷺ:

“He who observed the fast of Ramadan and then followed it with six (fasts) of Shawwal, it would be as if he fasted perpetually.” [Sahih Muslim 1164]

;then she should complete her Ramadaan fasts first, then follow it with six days of Shawwaal, so that the hadeeth with be applicable to her too, and she will gain the reward mentioned in it.

As regards the matter of permissibility, it is permissible for her to delay making up her Ramadaan fasts, provided that she makes them up before the next Ramadaan comes along.

• Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (may Allah free him)