𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻 13 | 13 Sha’bān 1444H

In this lesson we are going to speak about the pre-dawn meal, also known as Saḥūr. This lesson will be presented in a Q&A format Q1. What is Suḥūr? ▪️Saḥūr refers to the pre-dawn meal itself. ▪️Suḥūr refers to the act of consuming this pre-dawn meal. ▪️Saḥar refers to the last portion of the night; the time when the pre-dawn meal is consumed. 💡Benefit: Al-Falāḥ is another name for Suḥūr; as stated by An-Nu’mān ibn Bashīr raḍhiyallāhu ’anhu [Reported by Aḥmad & others with a 'Ṣaḥīḥ' chain] Q2. What is the ruling of Suhūr (consuming the pre-dawn meal)? An-Nawawi raḥimahullāh relayed from ibn Al-Mundhir, who said: “The Ummah are agreed that Suḥūr is desirable and recommended; there is no sin on the one who leaves it.” [Al-Majmū’ (6/360)] 💡Benefit: If someone says: The Prophet ﷺ ordered people to have Saḥūr (تَسَحَّرُوا), and the base rule is that the Prophet's orders prove that a matter is Wājib, so how can it be a Sunnah? We say: Yes, this is generally the case - unless we have other evidences indicating that the order has come as a form of encouragement - not that it's Wājib. In the case of Suḥūr, we have proof (besides the concensus) from the action of the Prophet ﷺ and Companions, who fasted consecutive days without eating anything in between (Al-Wiṣāl); so if Suḥūr was Wājib the Prophet ﷺ would not have left it. Q3. What is the virtue of eating Sahūr? It contains numerous virtues, and they are as follows: 1. You will be rewarded for implementing the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ. 2. You will be rewarded for distinguishing yourself from the people of the Book. The Prophet ﷺ said: “The difference between our fasting and that of the people of the Book (the Jews & Christians) is the pre-dawn meal.” [Muslim] 3. It prevents a person from becoming temperamental due to hunger. 4. It enables a person to worship Allāh throughout the day and gives him strength to accomplish his daily duties. And because he feels less weak and tired, his desire to fast is increased. 5. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Allāh and His angels send blessings upon those who take the pre-dawn meal.” [Aḥmad - graded 'Ḥasan' by Sheikh Albāni in Aṣ-Ṣaḥīḥah (1654)] 6. When a person wakes up for Suḥūr, he has the opportunity to engage in various acts of worship, such as offering the night prayer (if he hasn’t already), making du'a during the blessed last third of the night, making his intention to fast (if he hasn't already). He is more likely to offer the 2 voluntary units for Fajr and offer Fajr in the masjid with the congregation. What an excellent start to the day! 7. The pre-dawn meal contains Barakah (blessing). The Prophet ﷺ said: “Eat Sahūr as it contains Barakah.” [Bukhāri & Muslim] Q4. How much is one required to consume in order to fulfil this Sunnah? There is no limit as to how much a person is required to eat; even if he sips some water or eats 1/2 dates, the Sunnah has been implemented. 💡Benefit: It's recommended to eat dates for Saḥūr because the Prophet ﷺ said: “The best Suḥūr for the believer is dates.” [Abū Dāwūd - graded 'Ṣaḥīḥ' by Sheikh Albāni in Ṣaḥīḥ Abī Dāwūd] 🔺Note: A Muslim should not fill his stomach when he eats and drinks, rather he should eat a moderate amount, because the Prophet ﷺ said: “The son of Adam does not fill any vessel worse than his stomach.” [Transmitted by Tirmithi who graded it as 'Ḥasan'] Q5. When does the time for Suḥūr begin? What's correct is that the time for eating Saḥūr begins in the last third of the night, because the Prophet ﷺ said: “The difference between our fasting and the fasting of Ahlul-Kitāb is eating at the time of Saḥar (أكلة السحر).” [Muslim] And the evidence that Saḥar refers to the last third of the night is proven by combining between the saying of Allāh (translated meaning): “And in the hours before dawn, they seek forgiveness.”