“The Messenger of Allah — may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him — invited me to partake in the pre-dawn meal (suḥūr) during Ramadān and said: “Come to the blessed morning meal.”
Narrated by Aḥmad (no. 17152), Abū Dāwūd (no. 2344, his wording), and al-Nasāʾī (no. 2163), from the ḥadīth of al-ʿIrbāḍ ibn Sāriyah — may Allah be pleased with him.
Authenticated in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Jāmiʿ (no. 7043) and Ṣaḥīḥ Abī Dāwūd (no. 2030).
Brief Explanation of the Hadith
Fasting is a great act of worship through which the servant draws near to his Lord. It is essential for the believer to be aware of its rulings and recommended practices so that the reward of his deeds may be multiplied.
Among its rulings is the pre-dawn meal (suḥūr) — a confirmed Sunnah which the Prophet — may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him — practiced and encouraged, due to the blessing it contains and the strength it provides for worship.
In this ḥadīth, al-ʿIrbāḍ ibn Sāriyah — may Allah be pleased with him — relates that the Prophet — may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him — invited him to partake in the pre-dawn meal during Ramadān, saying: “Come to the blessed meal.” That is: Come to the pre-dawn meal (suḥūr) and share with me in this blessed food.
The pre-dawn meal (suḥūr) was referred to as a “blessed breakfast” because it provides strength for fasting during the day, allows one to take advantage of the blessed pre-dawn hours (as-sahar)—a time when supplications are answered and forgiveness is abundant—and helps in preparing oneself for the Fajr prayer through wakefulness and purification. Moreover, since the Arabs used to call the early meal taken just before the appearance of the true dawn (al-fajr al-thānī) “breakfast,” it was fitting that this term be applied to suḥūr as well.
Taking the suḥūr meal also distinguishes the Muslims from the People of the Book, who do not partake in it. Moreover, maintaining this practice fulfills the command of the Prophet—may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him—and follows his noble Sunnah.
This ḥadīth indicates the recommendation (istiḥbāb) of taking suḥūr, as well as the virtue of delaying it. It further points to the merit of inviting others to partake in suḥūr, for such an act strengthens the bonds of brotherhood and revives the Sunnah.