Merits Of Suhoor (Predawn meal in Ramadaan) And The Excellence Of Delaying Having It Till Before Dawn

Suhoor (Sehri) is the meal one takes in the last hours of the night before commencement of a fast. It is a sunnah to have Suhoor. If someone has no appetite at that time, it is advisable for him to have something light. Even by having a few sips of water the sunnah of suhoor can be fulfilled.

Although the suhoor can be had any time after midnight, but it is more advisable to have it in the last hour of the night immediately before the break of dawn. The suhoor can be continued upto the break of dawn. But in order to be on the safe side, it is advisable to refrain from eating or drinking a few minutes earlier than the break of dawn. Eating or drinking after the dawn even for a single minute renders the fast void.

If one is doubtful whether the dawn has broken or not, he should refrain from eating or drinking. However, if he eats or drinks in this state of uncertainty, his fast is valid unless it is proved later that he had eaten or drunk after the break of dawn, in which case he will have to observe another fast.

Hadhrat Anas (radiallaahu 'anh) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said, "Eat Suhoor (predawn meal). Surely, there is a blessing in Suhoor.'' [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Suhur is Masnoon (Sunnah of the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam)), even if one takes a small quantity of food. This meal is blessed and maintains one's energy and vitality during Saum (fast). Against this, if a person goes to sleep after taking his dinner to save himself from the inconvenience of getting up before dawn or takes Suhoor early will be, on one side, disobeying Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) , while on the other side, he will be feeling hunger and thirst very early and very much as he himself has increased the period of fasting by not taking the Suhoor. Subhan Allah! How the weaknesses of man have been taken into account in the teachings of Islaam while suitable provision has been provided to overcome them!

Hadhrat Zaid bin Thabit (radiallaahu 'anh) reported: We took Suhoor (predawn meal) with the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) and then we stood up for (Fajr) Salaah (prayer). It was asked: "How long was the gap between the two?'' He replied: "The time required for the recitation of fifty Ayaat.'' [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Suhoor should be taken towards the end of its timing. This is the Sunnah of the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam). One should, however, take care that it is done before dawn.

Hadhrat `Amr ibn Al-`Aas (radiallaahu 'anh) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said, "The difference between our observance of Sawm (fasting) and that of the people of the Scriptures (jews and christians) is Suhoor (predawn meal in Ramadaan).'' [Muslim]

Suhoor is a distinctive mark with which Allah ('azza wa jal) has blessed the Muslim Ummah.

» Posted by Seifeddine-M on 11th August 2011

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