Anas ibn Maalik, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet, , said, “Eat the Sahoor (pre-dawn meal). Surely, there is blessing in [having] Sahoor.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
He, , also pointed out, as related by ‘Amr ibn Al-‘Aas, may Allah be pleased with him: “The difference between our fast and that of the People of the Book is Sahoor.”[Muslim]
Al-‘Irbaadh ibn Saariyah, may Allah be pleased with him, relates that the Prophet, , invited him to the Sahoor, saying, “Come to the blessed morning meal.”[Abu Daawood, An-Nasaa’i, Ibn Khuzaymah, Saheeh]
Moreover, Al-Miqdaam ibn Ma‘deekarib, may Allah be pleased with him, reports the injunction of the Prophet, : “Eat the Sahoor, as it is a bountiful meal.”[An-Nasaa’i]
The word Sahoor comes from its Arabic root “Sahar”, which refers to the last part of the night [that just precedes dawn].
Al-Khattaabi said: “The Prophet called the Sahoor, the morning meal, because it helps a person fast during the day, so it is as if he has eaten in the morning.”
Benefits and rulings [derived from these Hadeeths]:
1. The Sahoor is confirmed to be a blessed meal, as Allah the Almighty sanctifies whatever He Wills.
2. The scholars unanimously agreed that the Sahoor is recommended and not obligatory; yet, it is one of the distinguishing characteristics of the fast of the Muslim Ummah (nation).
3. The blessings of Sahoor include:
- It constitutes compliance with the commandments of Sharee‘ah (Islamic jurisprudence), as the Prophet, , ordered us to partake in this meal. Certainly, obedience to him, , leads to prosperity in this world and the Hereafter.
- Eating the Sahoor is a form of stark nonconformity with the People of the Book, who do not normally have this meal. Certainly, acting contrary to the People of the Book is one of the main principles of our religion, as it is prohibited for a Muslim to behave like them in any way or concerning any affair, including their rituals and particular manners and traditions.
- Having the Sahoor strengthens the fasting person and enables him to worship Allah The Almighty during the day, not to mention, avoid the foul mood caused by hunger and thirst.
- The one who gets up to eat Sahoor has a better chance than a sleeping person to do Thikr (remembrance of Allah), ask Allah The Almighty for clemency and pray to Him at a time when supplications are very likely to be answered. Of course, this is a great advantage, for those who seek forgiveness before daybreak, specifically, are extolled by Allah The Almighty.
- The person who wakes up for Sahoor will most likely perform the Fajr (morning) prayer in congregation at the mosque. Perhaps, he may even leave early for the mosque and attain the reward of standing in the first row close to the Imaam (leader in prayer), in addition to that of repeating the Athaan (call for prayer). It also gives one the opportunity to perform the most significant of the stressed Sunnah prayers, which is offered before Fajr. The Prophet, , described it as better than this world and all of its pleasures.
- The one who eats Sahoor may also give some food from his meal in charity or invite someone to eat with him, thus achieving a double reward.
- Eating the Sahoor is a form of thanking Allah The Almighty for His Blessings and benefiting from this concession that He Bestowed upon us, for, whilst it was prohibited for nations before us, He allowed us to eat from sunset until dawn.
4. The Muslim should be keen on observing this great act of Sunnah, especially since the Prophet, , instructed, “Do not leave it.”Moreover, one should do it seeking the reward of Allah The Almighty and with a good intention present in his heart, rather than eating Sahoor out of habit.
5. The aforementioned Hadeeths demonstrate the validity of calling others over for Sahoor and answering such an invitation. The Prophet, , invited Al-‘Irbaadh ibn Saariyah, may Allah be pleased with him, to have Sahoor with him, saying, “Come to the blessed meal.”
6. Al-Khattaabi said: “This proves that Islam is the religion of facilitation and it contains no unbearable duties. The People of the Book were banned from eating once they slept after Iftaar [meal to break the fast] until dawn. Allah The Almighty eased this matter for us, Saying (What means): {and eat and drink, until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread (of night).} [Quran 2:187]”
Hence, we thank Allah The Almighty abundantly for His countless blessings.