Quranic Evidence for Sahur
Allah SWT says in the Quran:
"And eat and drink until the white thread becomes distinct to you from the black thread, which is the dawn. Then complete the fast until the night..."
(QS. Al-Baqarah: 187)
Explanation: This verse shows that the time for sahur is permitted until before dawn (dawn time).
Sahih Hadith about the Virtues of Suhoor
1.Hadith recommending suhoor
"Eat sahur, because in sahur there is blessing."
(HR. Bukhari No. 1923, Muslim No. 1095)
Explanation: This hadith confirms that sahur has blessings, both in physical aspects (giving energy) and spiritual (gaining rewards and ease in worship).
2. The Hadith of Sahur as a Differentiation from the Fast of the People of the Book
"The difference between our fasting and the fasting of the People of the Book is eating sahur."
(HR. Muslim No. 1096)
Explanation: Muslims are advised to eat sahur because this is a characteristic of fasting in Islam that distinguishes it from fasting in other religions.
3. Hadith on the Virtues of Sahur Even with Little Food
"Sahur is full of blessings, so don't leave it even if it is just a sip of water."
(Narrated by Ahmad No. 11086, Ibn Hibban No. 3457, Al-Albani in Sahih At-Targhib No. 1070)
Explanation: Even if a person does not have much food, simply drinking water is included in the rewarding practice of sahur.
4. Hadith of Suhoor to Obtain the Mercy of Allah and the Angels
"Indeed, Allah and His angels send blessings upon those who eat suhoor."
(Narrated by Ahmad No. 11086, Ibn Hibban No. 3467, Al-Albani in Sahih At-Targhib No. 1071)
Explanation: People who eat sahur receive prayers and blessings from Allah and the angels.
5. Hadith on the Recommended Time for Sahur
"We ate suhoor with the Prophet ﷺ then he stood up for the (Fajr) prayer. I asked: 'How long is the interval between the call to prayer (Fajr) and suhoor?' He replied: 'About fifty verses.'"
(Narrated by Bukhari No. 1921, Muslim No. 1097)
Explanation: This hadith shows that the best time for sahur is close to Subuh time, around 10-15 minutes before the call to prayer.
Conclusion
- Suhoor is a highly recommended and blessed sunnah.
- Sahur differentiates the Muslim fast from the fast of other religions.
- Even though it is only water, sahur still has its rewards.
- The best time for sahur is close to dawn.
- Allah and the angels bless those who eat sahur.