To my dear muslim and non-muslim readers, since it is the month of Ramadan, I would love the chance to explain what this month is about for every muslim around the world, such as me. I want to also share my past and present attitudes and experiences towards Ramadan because it is something that I hope can benefit others whether practicing or not so that we can reap most of the benefit from this blessed month.
*Suhoor is a pre-dawn meal that muslims do before we fast. It is not obligatory but highly encouraged. One can miss suhoor and still fast as long as we already set an intention / niat to fast anytime before the dawn ie: before going to sleep at midnight.
I have so many not-so-fond memories of having suhoor that I could tell you! Missing the alarm, waking up haphazardly because there is only five minutes left, eating with my eyes closed and a spoonful of food not entering the right mouth 😰. The list could go on but I will just stop there. The reason behind it varies from having a late night sleep, not motivated to wake up for eating alone or just not grasping the context of how important sahoor is.
"Eat suhoor for in suhoor there is a blessing" Al-Bukhaari, 1923; Muslim, 1095.Although suhoor is not obliged / wajiib, it is a sunnah that is very highly encouraged / mustahaab. Therefore, Rasulullah SAW motivates us to eat suhoor because there is many blessing given to us spiritually and physically. Having suhoor means that we are acting upon our intention to fast and it also gives our bodies the capability to push through until the the fall of the dusk. Think of it like filling the fuel tank for our mind and body. The more well-prepared we are, the more ready we are to face the day.
"We ate suhoor with the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), then he stood up to pray." I (Anas) said: "How long was there between the adhaan and suhoor?" He said: "As long as it takes to recite fifty verses." Al-Bukhaari, 1921.There is another reason to be present for suhoor time. It is not only the time to physically prepare ourselves but also to do ibadah which means a worship to God. Keep in mind that from the moment we sleep, the act of worship already starts because we are intending to wake up for suhoor in the later time. Preparing healthy and wholesome meals for ourselves and others is a form of ibaadah too! Anything we do, will be highly rewarding. What the hadith says is that it is encouraged to drop the eating and drinking, say 15 minutes before Fajr to allow some time to recite Quran and say dzikiir before the dawn prayer / Subuh.
You can see now how suhoor is not about just eating and drinking and the concept of fasting is also not simply about feeling the hunger and the thirst. It focuses on the practice of our self-control when we are stripped off from every individual's basic necessities such as food and water. It is fasting for the belly (and our private parts) for many of our emotions and decisions are controlled by them. Fasting is mandatory for every muslim to do, with the exception of a few who have certain health conditions.
I understand that it can be hard to wake up for suhoor when we are challenged by our early and late work schedules or the close time gap between Isha and Fajr in some parts of the world. Know that if we have the best of the best of intention, Allah SWT will pave a way and make it easier for all of us. Each one of us will have a different Ramadan experience and from it, comes various lessons that will teach us.
In summary, here are the top suggestions to reap the most benefit from suhoor:
- A time to rethink our breakfast choices.
Have always eaten wholesome meal that is beneficial for our body? There is no need to eat or drink a lot for suhoor because it is the quality not the quantity. This is common mistake that allows us to become lethargic after eating. Eat in moderation and fuel ourselves with nutritious food and drink. I have one useful tip for hydrating ourselves before fasting that is to drink 2-3 cups of water before I sleep at midnight, (I will surely pee some out when I wake up) and then drink 2-3 more cups during suhoor. 💦 This is just to ensure that I don't gulp 6 cups of water all at once because a bladder can only hold so much. Ensure to stay hydrated after breaking the fast! - A time to kick-start a new productive habit.
Act before we become. This is the perfect time to practice starting productivity early! Or to those who wish to wake up early, this is it. It is best if we can make a hit-list the night before to hold ourselves accountable the next day. 😎 - A time to ponder and reflect.
Whether we are by ourselves or in a company of family or friends, it may be a good time to slow down and reflect (since we are already sleepy). I am not talking about heavy thoughts, it is simply to become more aware of our surrounding. Lets start with what is closest to us, what can we feel? what can we hear? what can we smell? 😼 - A time to do more ibaadah
During Ramadan, we usually form a new habit that follows after a meal or before / after Fajr prayer, such as reading Quran, Dzikir and learn tafseer. This makes us closer spiritually to Allah SWT, and maybe it opens up our mind that we do actually have the time to do so many things if we make the space. Again, to do more ibaadah does not equal to do a lot. Do what we are capable of, even if it means only reading one page of Quran, memorize 2 lines / ayah from a surah, or to say a certain dzikiir. The idea is to do it consistently and to not underestimate the power of small. 💪
To make suhoor easier, prepare everything the night before - food that you want to heat up, a bottle of water to finish, a prayer matt, Quran placed conveniently. Whatever you think can be a shortcut for suhoor time, do it - no regret!
PS: I like to share what I have for suhoor / iftar in my insta stories. I compiled it in the highlight. Not saying it's the perfect meal, but maybe it could give you some ideas for meal variations.
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