Many of us might struggle to wake up for suhoor and some might not know and understand the wisdom behind. That’s why this article will focus on the benefits and importance of having suhoor, by giving you also at the end some tips on how to motivate yourself to wake up.
Suhoor is the Ramadan early breakfast and it is the moment to energize ourselves before starting a day of fasting. Some of us might skip it since it requires waking up very early before the sunrise and eat, or some might not be hungry or not feeling to eat at a very early hour; they then just wake up for fajr and then go back to sleep.
It is comprehensible to have those sort of feelings or thoughts, but if there was no wisdom in suhoor, why would then the Prophet (swt) recommend us to wake up from our sleep and perform this important sunnah? He in fact would recommend his companions to have suhoor as he said: “ Have Suhoor for verily there is a blessing in it.”
You might wonder now, what is the blessing that the prophet is talking about?
These are some of the blessings:
- Following the Prophet’s sunnah;
- Differing from the People of the Book;
- Strengthening ourselves for worship;
- Repelling bad characteristics that are usually associated with hunger such as anger;
- Opportunity to engage in charity by providing suhūr for others;
- Opportunity to make dhikr and Du’ā at a blessed time.
You can see that within performing Suhoor you will only be benefiting from it, as you will not only revive one of the prophet’s beloved sunnah, but you will also receive Allah’s and the angels’ prayers as it is said in the following hadith: “Indeed Allāh and his Angels send Ṣalāh upon those who have Suḥūr.” The prayers of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) means that He mentions the person who has suhoor amongst the highest gatherings and the Angels’ prayers means that they ask for istighfar (forgiveness) for that person. Imagine, Allah mentioning your name and the Angels asking for istighfar for you just because you are having suhoor while everyone else is sleeping. That is a really big blessing and an opportunity that none should ever miss!!! Hence, we understand how valuable and precious is suhoor for Allah and now we have no excuses for skipping this important moment before praying fajr. Everytime that you don’t feel motivated to wake up for suhoor, just remind yourself of the big virtues that you will benefit from and tell yourself that you should never lose this great blessing that Allah is giving you. And remember that you will be rewarded and that you are not alone, that other Muslims are eating at the same time and that you are also having the Angels and Allah’s company. Moreover, waking up for suhoor is essential in order to make the intention of fasting, as the prophet said:” Whoever does not have the intention of fasting before Fajr, there is no fast for him.” So, if you want your fasting to be valid, you will have to wake up and make the intention. You can make this dua to renew your intention: “Bi saumin ghaddan, nawaito min shahri ramadan” (translation: I intend to keep the fast for tomorrow in the month of Ramadan). If you do not feel hungry, just drink some water and eat dates or fruits. It is very important to follow this sunnah as it has blessings.
Now that we understand the wisdom that comes with suhoor, let me share with you some tips that will help you to get the energy to wake up for suhoor:
- Sleep as early as you can, after you finished your prayers and the recitation of Quran
- Set up your alarm and if you are worried that you will not hear it, ask someone of your family or friends to call you and wake you up
- Prepare your meal before you sleep: knowing that your meal is ready will motivate you to get up from bed and it will be easier for you, as you will not have to worry about what to prepare when you are still half asleep
- Before sleeping, ask Allah to give you the energy and strength to wake up for suhoor and have the right intention.
I hope that these tips will be beneficial for you and that this article has given you a different perspective on suhoor and that it has encouraged you to follow this blessed sunnah of our beloved Prophet (pbuh).
By Zaineb