The Book of Fasting - Sunan an-Nasa'i 2144

"The Messenger of Allah said: 'Take Sahur, for in Sahur there is blessing.'"

Commentary on the Hadith

This noble hadith from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasizes the great virtue and spiritual benefit of taking the pre-dawn meal (Sahur) before beginning the daily fast. The Arabic term "barakah" (blessing) encompasses divine grace, spiritual benefit, and temporal advantage.

Scholars explain that the blessing manifests in multiple dimensions: spiritual reward for following the Sunnah, physical strength to sustain fasting, communal unity as families gather for this meal, and the opportunity for late-night prayers and remembrance of Allah during the blessed last third of the night.

The command "Take Sahur" indicates the high recommendation (mustahabb) of this practice, even if one consumes only a small amount of food or water. This distinguishes Islamic fasting from mere hunger, transforming it into an act of worship filled with divine blessings and spiritual elevation.

Juridical Ruling

The majority of scholars consider Sahur to be a strongly recommended Sunnah (Sunnah mu'akkadah), not an obligatory requirement for the validity of fasting. However, abandoning it without valid reason constitutes neglecting a praiseworthy prophetic practice.

The optimal time for Sahur is during the last portion of the night, close to the Fajr prayer, following the practice of the Prophet who delayed this meal as much as possible while ensuring completion before dawn.