Sahuur

[amma]

SAHUUR

This is a light meal taken shortly before the break of dawn. There is consensus that this meal is a highly recommended Sunnah.

In reports by Bukhari and Muslim, Anas (raa) related that the Messenger of Allah said: "Take your early morning meal for in that is a blessing." In another report by Miqdam bin Ma'a Diyikarib (raa) the Messenger of Allah (saas) said: "Take this early morning meal for it is a blessed meal."

In both ahadiths the statement underscores the importance of sahuur, and to caution anyone from thinking they can just stay without a meal all night and continue with fasting. This may explain why the statement came as a command. Although it is not mandatory to eat sahuur, it is highly encouraged so that anyone intending to fast will make an effort to take sahuur.

The crux of the matter is not to show how strong you are, but how obedient you are. Sahuur, above all, ensures that the devotee has the energy he or she will need during the course of the day, and it makes the fast easier.

[amma]

WHAT CONSTITUTES SAHUUR?

Sahuur can be achieved by a large meal, a small meal, or even by a sip of water or soup. In a report by Abu Sa'eed Al-Khudri (raa) the Messenger of Allah (saas) said, "Sahuur is a blessed meal, do not neglect it even if it is a mouthful of drink. For Allah and the Angels bless those who observe it." (Ahmed)

You see, what reaches Allah is the intent that you have made a genuine effort to obey Allah in fasting. This is why it is recommended to make intention with the sahuur, to emulate the Prophet, and to eat the food to gain strength and energy during fasting, so as to get the reward from Allah. The hadith also contains the information that during the course of this meal the faster receives a special blessing that cannot be found elsewhere: that Allah (SWT) blesses your meal and that the angels seek on your behalf forgiveness for you during sahuur. Thus, with sahuur you receive both physical and spiritual blessings.

[amma]

TIME OF SAHUUR

The time for sahuur begins from midnight until the break of dawn. It is recommended, however, to delay it till shortly before the time of Subh (morning) prayer.

In a hadith by Zaid bin Thabit (raa) he related that: "We ate sahuur with the Messenger of Allah (saas) then we went to pray Subh". I asked the Messenger `What was the time period between sahur and prayer?' He responded `The time period between them is the equivalent of the time it takes to recite fifty verses in Al-Qur'an.'" (Bukhari and Muslim)

This citation is instructive in that it settles the question of whether one should stop eating before morning prayer (Subh/Fajr), or before sunrise, as we see in certain prayer times tables showing the so-called shuruq (the sunrise, which some think is the time to stop eating). The hadith is explicit. The recommendation to delay Sahuur is only to the hour or so before (Subh). The mentioning of the period of recitation of fifty verses (ayats) is a cushion or a grace period in which food or drink should not be taken. All the reports that recommend delay of Sahuur must be understood in this way.

During the time of the Messenger of Allah (saas), the tradition of two adhans (or call to prayer) was established, and it has continued up until now in some Muslim countries. The first adhan is to indicate the beginning of sahuur: the adhan of Abdullah Ibn Umm Maktum (raa). The second is the adhan of Bilal Ibn Rabah (raa): the adhan of Salaah, a morning prayer.

However, if you hear the second adhan while you are eating or drinking, you should immediately stop eating in preparation for fasting.

[Dan]

Bismillah

As salam alaikum

May Allah reward you for the knowledge you are transmitting, amma.

I have an opinion about sahuur. For me, one of the reasons for the blessings of sahuur is because you have to wake up earlier to be able to eat it. The meal helps me get my body out of bed so I am not sleeping right up to fajr time and missing out on good supplication time. While I am eating, I reflect on the day to come and my mind clears up so I can pray with better concentration. No daleel. Just wanted to share with the ones for whom I care.

May Allah forgive me if I have transgressed His Bounds.

As salam alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu