Ramadan Articles - There is Blessing in Suhoor

The Prophetsaid: "Take Suhoor as there is a blessing in it."
]Al-Bukhaari and Muslim[ In thisHadeeth )narration(, there is an
injunction to take Suhoor, which means eating and drinking directly
before dawn in order to get ready to fast that day. The wisdom
underlying this order is also mentioned: namely, the blessing it
contains.
Blessing is the descent of divine goodness in something and being fixed therein.
Blessing also means the increase of goodness, reward and all the
useful things needed by a slave inthe life of this world and in the
Hereafter.
Blessing comes from Allaah The Almighty and cannot be attained except
by obeying Him.
It is noticed that some of those who fast do not heed the importance
of having the Suhoor meal and delaying it; they may even abandon it
entirely. They might take a meal at midnight orbefore sleeping at
night, whetherbecause of the worry that they may not wake up on time,
or because of their desire to sleep longer, or their indifference to
Suhoor and its blessings, or their ignorance of the matter. This is a
mistake that should be avoided as it contradicts the Sunnah)Prophetic
tradition( and deprives one of the blessings of Suhoor.
A person who intends to fast should take Suhoor and delay it until
directly before dawn, even ifthe Suhoor is only a little as this has
numerous benefits and greatblessings. Among its blessings is that it
constitutes obeying the command of the Prophetmentioned in the
Hadeeth: "TakeSuhoor as there is a blessing in it." ]Al-Bukhaari and
Muslim[ This favor and honor )i.e., obeying thecommand of the Prophet(
is enough.
Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:
• }He who obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allaah{ ]Quran 4:80[
• }And whoever obeys Allaah and His Messenger has certainly attained
a great attainment.{ ]Quran 33:71[
Among its blessings is that it distinguishes Muslims as it contradicts
the practice of the People of the Book. The Prophetsaid: "The
difference between our fasting and that of the People of the Book is
eating Suhoor )shortly before dawn(."]Muslim[
Another blessing is that it fostersprosperity and preserves it. It was
reported on the authority of Sahl ibn Sa'd As-Saa'idithat the
Prophetsaid: "The people will continue to prosper as long as they
hasten to break the fast and delay the Suhoor."]Al-Bukhaari and
Muslim[
Among the blessings of Suhoor isthat it gives the strength needed to
perform acts of obedience, helps in performing acts of worship and
increases one's stamina and ability to work. A hungry and thirsty
person is stricken by laziness.
Among the blessings of Suhoor isattaining the salutations of Allaah
The Exalted and His angels:"Allaah and his angels definitely send
salutations on those who eat Suhoor." ]Ibn Hibbaan and At-Tabaraani in
Al-Awsat[ ]Al Albaani: Hasan[
In addition, Suhoor prevents one from indulging in bad behavior and
misdemeanor that may result from hunger.
Moreover, the time of Suhoor is a blessed time. It is the time when
Allaah The Almighty descends in a way that befits His Glory and
Majesty with His glory and greatness. The Messenger of Allaahsaid:
"Our Lord, The Blessed, The Superior, comes down every night to the
nearest Heaven to us when the last third of the night remains,
saying:"Is there anyone to invoke Me, so that I may respond to his
invocation? Is there anyone to ask Me, so that I may grant him his
request? Is there anyone seeking My forgiveness, so that I may forgive
him?" ]Al-Bukhaari[
Also among the blessings is that this time is one of the best times
for seeking forgiveness, if not thebest ever. Allaah The Exalted
praises those who seek forgiveness at this specific time. Allaah The
Almighty Says )what means(:
• }and those who seek forgiveness before dawn.{ ]Quran3:17[
• }And in the hours before dawn they would ask forgiveness{ ]Quran 51:18[.
Thus, waking up for Suhoor is a reason for obtaining this bounty and
attaining the various blessings of seeking forgiveness.
Furthermore, one of the blessings of Suhoor is that it makes it more
likely for a person to answer the call to Fajr prayer, and it is well
known that this hasgreat rewards. It guarantees performing the Fajr
prayer on time in congregation.
Moreover, among the blessings of Suhoor is that eating this mealis
considered an act of worship initself, if by doing so one intends to
increase one's strength and use it in obeying Allaah and intends to
follow and adhere to the way of the Prophet. Besides, if the one who
intends to fast takes Suhoor, he will not get tired of fasting;
rather, he will long for it. On the other hand, those who do not take
Suhoor find great hardship in fasting that makes it difficult for them
to fast again.
Among the blessings of Suhoor isthat Allaah The Almighty places
goodness in the activities of the one who partakes Suhoor, so that he
is guided to doing good deeds on that day. He finds the energy to
perform obligatory andvoluntary acts of worship, recite Athkaar )words
of remembrance(, enjoin good and forbid evil and so on. Otherwise, if
he does not take Suhoor, fasting may make it difficult for him to
perform all these things.
In brief, the blessings of Suhoor are too many to be counted. Allaah
The Almighty, in His Sharee'ah, has wisdom and secrets that are
astounding to the minds, and that only a few may realize. However, we
should remember these great meanings and remind others of them.