In the name of Allah the Most Gracious the Most Merciful

What are the blessings of Suhoor/Pre-Dawn meal?

By Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih al-’Uthaymeen may Allah have mercy on him

The shaykh mentions this point of benefit in his explanation of Imaam Nawawi’s “Riyaadus Saaliheen” under the 221st chapter, “The Excellence of The Pre-Dawn Meal and Delaying It…”.

Narrated Anas bin Malik: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said,

تَسَحَّرُوا فَإِنَّ فِي السَّحُورِ بَرَكَةً

“Take Sahoor as there is blessing in it.” (Bukhari)

Sahoor (with an A/Fatha) is: the food one eats before fasting.

Suhoor (with an U/Dhumma) is: the action of eating the pre-dawn meal.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) encouraged eating the pre-dawn meal. In his statement, he ordered us to take a pre-dawn meal and clarified that in eating it there is blessings. From among the blessings of Sahoor is complying with the command of the Prophet (peace be upon him), and in obeying the command of the Prophet (peace be upon him) there is good and reward.

Also, it aids one in performing acts of worship. Sahoor helps us to fast and suffices us until the setting of the sun. (Usually) we eat and drink in the beginning, middle, and end of the day, but (whenever someone intends to fast) Allah sends blessings in the pre-dawn meal which suffices them before the rising of Fajr until the setting of the sun.

From the blessings of Sahoor is that it differentiates between the fasting of the Muslims and non-Muslims. For this, the Prophet (peace be upon him) clarified the difference between our fast and the fast of the People of the Book was eating the pre-dawn meal. Because, the People of the Book fast from the middle of the night and eat before 12 am, and they do not eat a pre-dawn meal. As for the Muslims, all praises are due to Allah, they eat during this time, towards the end of the night.

Differentiating between the Muslims and disbelievers is an obligatory affair in the legislation. And the Prophet (peace be upon him) forbade resembling them. He (peace be upon him) said,

‏ خَالِفُوا الْمُشْرِكِينَ أَحْفُوا الشَّوَارِبَ وَأَوْفُوا اللِّحَى

“Act against the polytheists, trim closely the moustache and grow the beard.” (Muslim)

Meaning, let the beard grow and do not cut or shave it. He (peace be upon him) also said,

مَنْ تَشَبَّهَ بِقَوْمٍ, فَهُوَ مِنْهُمْ

“He who imitates any people (in their actions) is considered to be one of them” (Abu Dawud)

Translated by: Abu Awzaa’ee AbdusSalaam

الفقير الى الله