IMPORTANCE AND VIRTUES OF PRE DAWN MEAL (SUHOOR) Narrated Anas bin Malik(R A): The Prophet (SAWS) said, "Take Suhoor as there is a blessing in it." [Bukhari / 3 / 31 / 146 ] Ibn Umar (RadhiAllaahu Anhu ) relates: Rasoolullaah (SallAllaahu alaihe wasallam) said: ‘Verily Allaah and His Malaa’ikah send Mercy upon those who eat ‘Sehri’ (sower-Suhoor).” COMMENTARY How great is Allaah ’s favour upon us that even the partaking of food before dawn for fasting is so greatly rewarded. There are many Ahaadith in which the virtues of “Sehri” are expounded and the rewards mentioned. Allaamah Ain – Commentator on Bukhari – has quoted the virtues of “Sehri” from seventeen different ‘Sahaabah’ and all the “Ulama” are agreed on its being “Mustahab” (desirable). Many people are deprived of this great reward because of their own laziness. Some even go so far as to finish ‘Taraweeh’, eat (what they suppose to be “Sehri’!) and go to bed. What great blessings do they lose! “Sehri” actually means partaking of food shortly before dawn. Some authorities say that the time for “Sehri” commences after half the night has passed (Mirquat). The author of Kash-shaff (Zamakhshari) divided the night into six portions, stating that the last one of these is the time of “Sehri”; so that, when the night (from sunset till dawn) extends over twelve hours, the last two hours would be the correct time for “Sehri”. Then it must also be remembered that to eat at the latest possible time is better and greater in reward than eating earlier, subject to the condition that no doubt remains as to whether “Sehri” had been eaten before the time of dawn. The Ahaadith are full of virtues of “Sehri”. Rasoolullaah (SallAllaah u alaihe wasallam) said: ‘The difference between our fasting and that of the Ahlul-Kitaab (Jews and Christians) lies in our partaking of food at “Sehri” which they do not.” The Prophet(SAWS) has said, “Eat Sehri, because in it lie great blessings; and again. “In three things, are the great blessings: in “Jama’ah” (company), in eating “Thareed” and in “Sehri”. In this Hadith, the use of the word “Jama’ah” is general, wherefrom we deduce that it includes “Salaat” with “Jamaa’ah” and all those righteous deeds done in company, as thus Allaah ’s help comes to them. “Thareed” is a tasty preparation, in which baked bread is cooked with meat. The third thing mentioned in this Hadith is “Sehri”. When Rasoolullaah (SallAllaahu alaihe wasallam) used to invite any of the companions to eat “Sehri” with him, he used to say: “Come and partake of blessed food with me.” One Hadith says: “Eat ‘Sehri’ and strengthen yourself for the fast. And sleep in the afternoon (Siesta), so as to gain assistance in waking up in the latter portion of the night (for “Ibaadah”).” Abdullaah bin Haarith (RadhiAllaahu Anhu) reports that one of the Sahaaba said: “I once visited Rasoolullaah (SallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) at a time when he was busy in partaking of ‘Sehri’. Rasoolullaah then said: “This is a thing full of blessings, which Allaah has granted you. Do not give it up.” Rasoolullaah (SallAllaahu alaihe wasallam) in urging us repeatedly for ‘Sehri’ has said: “Even though there be no food, then one date should be eaten or a drink of water taken.” Thus, when there are definitely great advantages and reward in ‘Sehri’, Muslims should endeavour to observe this practice as much as possible. However, in all things moderation is important, and going beyond the bounds of moderation is harmful: neither should so little be eaten that one feels weak throughout the period of fasting, nor should so much be eaten that it causes discomfort. Repeatedly, we have been prohibited from filling the stomach excessively. In his commentary on “Sahih Bukhari”, Ibn Hajar has mentioned various reasons for the blessedness of “Sehri”: # Because in it, the ‘Sunnah’ is followed. # Through “Sehri”, we differentiate ourselves from the ways of Jews and christians, which we are at all times called upon to do. # It provides strength for “Ibaadah” #It promotes greater sincerity in “Ibaadah” # It aids in elimination of bad temper, which normally comes about as result of hunger. # ‘Sehri’ is the time when prayers are accepted. # At the time of ‘Sehri’, one gets the opportunity to remember Allaah , makes Dhikr and lifts up the hand to Him in prayer. Allamah Sha’raani mentions in Sharh Iqna: ‘A covenant was made with us that we shall not fill our stomachs (completely) when eating, especially in the nights of Ramadhaan.’ It is better that one should eat less in the nights of Ramadhaan than on other nights. After all, what is the utility of fasting after having filled oneself at ‘Sehri’ and ‘Iftaar’? the religious divines have said, ‘Whoever remains hungry in Ramadhaan shall remain safe from the evil of ‘Shaytaan’ throughout the year, until the next Ramadhaan.’ Similarly, we can mention the experiences of numerous salafs who through eating less used to discipline their inner-selves, but let us bear in mind that it should not be carried to such extremes that the’religious’ activities and responsibilities are neglected, as a result of weakness of the body. "A believer eats in one intestine (is satisfied with a little food), and a kafir (unbeliever) eats in seven intestines (eats much food)." [Bukhari] What to eat for sehri to keep us going throughout the day?? # Food containing fibre is also essential to keep us going throughotut the day....Examples of Fibre food are: Fibre-containing foods are bran-containing foods, like cereals; whole wheat or whole meal flour; grains and seeds, like beans and lentils; vegetables like green beans, peas, sem (papry), marrow, mealies, spinach, methie, leaves of beetroot (iron rich), etc.; fruit with skin, dried fruit especially dried apricots, figs, prunes, etc.; and nuts like almonds; etc. The foods should be well-balanced, containing foods from each food group, i.e.,fruits, vegetables, meat/chicken/fish, bread/cereals and dairy products. Foods from each food group should be eaten daily. # Slow-digesting foods are foods that contain grains and seeds like barley, wheat, oats, millet, semolina, beans, lentils, etc; whole meal flour; whole meal pasta; unpolished rice; etc (called complex carbohydrates). # Avoid, Fast-digesting foods : foods that contain sugar, white flour, white rice, white pasta, etc. (called refined carbohydrates). Many people think that by filling their stomachs with curry, paratahs, doughnuts etc at sehri time that is the best way to keep them going through the day....But this is a very wrong approach, this kind of food will only make us feel lazy throughout the day. # At sehri time it is vital that our body gains the right nutirents to keep going throughout the day,,,Now imagine feeling lazy throughout the Ramadhan, this will also effect our Ibadat the amount of worship we do. # In view of the long hours of fasting, we should consume slow digesting foods including fibre foods rather than fast-digesting foods. Slow digesting foods last between 8-12 hours, while fast digesting foods last for only 2-4 hours
Posted on: Thu, 11 Jul 2013 01:28:22 +0000
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