What is Sahur? The Importance and Excellence of Sahur
Sahur means eating before the dawn in preparation for fasting. In dictionary terms, it refers to the meal eaten before sunrise, derived from the same root as the word seher, which means “the time before dawn, about a third of the night.” As a religious term, sahûr (sehûr, sühûr) signifies the food eaten before the rising of the dawn in preparation for fasting. The expression “ekletü’s-sehar / ekletü’s-sühûr” is used for this in some hadiths.
The excellence and importance of sahur have also been emphasized in many hadiths. Here are the virtues of sahur according to hadith and the worship that should be performed during sahur…
PRAYERS AND WORSHIP TO BE PERFORMED DURING SAHUR
1- Eating Sahur Meal
We should strive to have sahur as much as possible during the month of Ramadan. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said about the high virtue and value of sahurs:
“Have sahur, for in sahur there is blessing.” (Bukhari, Sawm 20; Muslim, Siyam 45)
“Even a sip of water is sufficient for sahur.” (Abdurrazzak, Musannaf, IV, 227/7599)
“Hasten to break your fast; delay your sahur!” (Tabarani, Mu’jam al-Kabir, 25, 163)
2- Performing Tahajjud Prayer
Allah prescribed the Tahajjud prayer specifically for our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). When we wake up for sahur, we should strive to perform ablution and pray at least two rak’ahs of Tahajjud prayer.
The verse states:
“And in a part of the night, you [Prophet] rise for optional prayer – for you alone is it a special increase.” (Al-Isra 17:79)
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said regarding the Tahajjud prayer:
“Continue with night prayers, for they are the practice of righteous people before you. For night worship is closeness to Allah, expiation for sins, a cure for the body from disease, and a deterrent from evil.” (Tirmidhi, Da’awat, 101)
“…The most virtuous prayer besides obligatory prayers is the night prayer.” (Muslim, Siyam, 203)
3- Reciting the Quran
The month of Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was revealed. In this month, we should strengthen our relationship with the Quran and strive to recite at least one muqabala (complete recitation).
Allah says:
“This is the month [of Ramadan] in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs of guidance and discrimination…” (Al-Baqarah, 185)
The verse states that the Quran was revealed in Ramadan and that it is a book full of wisdom and truths to distinguish between right and wrong, good and evil. It is therefore incumbent upon those who attain this blessed month to fast under the guidance of the Quran.
Therefore, the deep connection and close relationship between the Quran and Ramadan should be well understood.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) gave particular importance to the Quran during the month of Ramadan. He would recite the Quran with his friend Gabriel (peace be upon him) in muqabala each night of this month. In the last Ramadan before his death, he performed this muqabala twice. (See Muslim, Fadail 50.) The Prophet also used to recite the Quran with some of his companions after Gabriel’s (peace be upon him) departure. (Ahmed, I, 405)
Likewise, it is narrated from Ibn Masud (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah said:
“Whoever reads a letter from the Quran, he will receive a reward for it. And for every good deed there is ten rewards. I do not say ‘Alif Lam Mim’ is one letter; rather, Alif is a letter, Lam is a letter, and Mim is a letter.” (Tirmidhi, Fazail al-Quran 16)
4- Making Dua (Supplication)
Dua, which is the essence of worship, is when a person detaches from their self and seeks refuge in their Lord. It is an important spiritual bond between Allah and the servant. Those who break this bond also lose their value in the sight of Allah. We should supplicate to and seek refuge in our Lord, especially at night and while fasting, during the month of Ramadan.
As stated in the verse:
“Say: If you do not – [i.e., if you do not supplicate to Him] – would My Lord give you value?” (Al-Furqan, 77)
According to a narration from Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“Our Lord, Blessed and Exalted, descends every night during the last third of the night and says: ‘Who is calling Me so I may answer him? Who is asking for forgiveness from Me so I may forgive him?’” (Bukhari, Tahajjud 14)
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5- Repentance and Seeking Forgiveness
The month of Ramadan is a month of forgiveness and mercy. Those who truly observe the month of Ramadan will attain countless blessings. Those who are indifferent to it will be subjected to terrible deprivation. As stated in the hadith:
“Gabriel (peace be upon him) came to me and said, ‘Let those who do not reach Ramadan and have their sins forgiven be far from My mercy!’ I said, ‘Amen.’” (Hakim, IV, 170/7256; Tirmidhi, Da’awat, 100/3545)
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) also said: “I seek forgiveness from Allah one hundred times a day.” (Muslim, Zikr, 42)
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6- Recitation of the Kalima (Declaration of Faith)
The Kalima is a remembrance that we should constantly recite to renew our faith. It is especially virtuous to recite it during sahur.
The verse states:
“…Indeed, those who believe [in Allah and His Messenger] are firmly established upon right guidance from their Lord…” (Surah Ibrahim 27:1)
“Indeed, the ones who purify themselves and remember the name of their Lord and pray, will be successful.” (Surah Alaa 14:15)
Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) interprets the word “tazakkā” (purified) in this verse as; “A person saying ‘La ilaha illallah’ (There is no god but Allah).” (Qurtubi, al-Jami, XX, 22.)
It is narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said to his companions:
“Renew your faith!”
The companions asked: “How do we renew our faith, O Messenger of Allah?”
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) replied: “Say ‘La ilaha illallah’ often.”
7- Sending Salat and Salam (Blessings and Peace)
Allah has commanded us to send salutations upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). (See Al-Ahzab 33:56) It is also narrated that whoever sends salutations will have their difficulties removed. We should send abundant blessings and peace upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), especially during these blessed nights of Ramadan.
The verse states:
“Indeed, Allah and His angels send blessings upon the Prophet. O you who believe, send blessings upon him and greet him with a greeting of peace.” (Al-Ahzab, 33:56)
Ubay bin Kab (may Allah be pleased with him) says:
“I asked the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him): ‘O Messenger of Allah, I send you many salutations. How much should I do?’
He replied: ‘As much as you wish.’
‘Should I dedicate a fourth of my supplication to sending salutations?’ I asked.
He replied: ‘As much as you wish. But if you increase it, it will be good for you.’
‘Should I dedicate half of my supplication to sending salutations?’ I asked.
He replied: ‘As much as you wish. But if you increase it, it will be good for you.’
‘Should I dedicate all of my time in supplication to sending salutations?’ I said.
He replied: ‘In that case, Allah will remove all your difficulties and forgive your sins.’” (Tirmidhi, Qiyamah, 23)
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8- Remembrance (Dhikr)
We should give more importance to remembering Allah during these blessed nights.
When we remember Allah, He remembers us in a manner befitting His glory; He bestows mercy and help, accepts our worship, hears our repentance and forgiveness, and answers our supplications. In a hadith qudsi, it is stated: “My servant draws closer to Me through remembering Me until I love him. And when I love him, I am his hearing, his sight, his tongue and his hand. If he asks of Me, I give him; and if he seeks My protection, I protect him.” (Bukhari, Tawhid 15)
The verse states:
“O you who believe! Remember Allah with much remembrance…”