Suhoor is the early morning meal Muslims have before starting their fast. Here are some facts about Suhoor:

1. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to take Suhoor and sometimes he took it with his Sahabah (Companions). Narrated Anas: Zayd Bin Thabit (R) said, “We took the Suhoor with the Prophet. Then he stood for the prayer.” I asked, “What was the interval between the Suhoor and the Adhan?” He replied, “The interval was sufficient to recite fifty verses of the Qur’an.” Sahih Bukhari Volume 3, Book 31, Number 144 ; Sahih Muslim Book 006, Number 2415.

2. Urging Muslims to have Suhoor the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Have Suhoor, as indeed there is a blessing in it.” The Prophet also said: “The difference between our fasting and the fasting of the People of the Book is the (meal of) Suhoor.”

3. Being the only meal eaten by Muslims from dawn to sunrise during the month of Ramadan, Suhoor typically tends to be heavy and is highly regarded by traditions to help avoid weakness caused by the fast. Suhoor as the morning meal is matched by Iftar as the evening meal, during Ramadan, replacing the traditional three meals a day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).

4. The presence of night-criers – mesaharaty – roaming the streets in towns and villages is yet another tradition still alive in many Muslim countries. The night-crier stops in front of every house in the neighborhood, beating his drum and even calling out people by their names.

5. A Suhoor helps the fasting person persevere through the fast. Traditionally, the dates are considered important in Suhoor meal. Suhoor is intended to be a very humble meal to help remind Muslims that there are those who go without food daily.