The benefits of SAHOUR are all too often neglected. We're convinced that if Muslims were fully aware of all its virtues, it would be better regarded!
Let's make the most of this month of Ramadan to take stock of the situation!
Sahour: much more than just a meal...
The sahour, in other words, the meal taken before the call to Fajr prayer, is a time to eat before starting a day of fasting.
Muslims like to rush to break their fast, Iftarwhich is a moment of joy and praise for Allah. However, we often forget that the benefits of sahour are just as important!
Moreover, numerous hadith show us:
According to Salman Al Farisi (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (may the prayers of Allah and His salvation be upon him) said: "The blessing is in three things: the group, the tharid (1) and the sahour (2)".(Reported by Tabarani and authenticated by Sheikh Albani in Sahih Al Jami n°2882)
Namely: the Sunnah requires that you take this snack until you can distinguish the black thread from the white thread, as described in the Qur'anic text. That is, until the Fajr adhan. The imsak is an innovation not to be taken into account.
The benefits of sahour
This late-night meal announces a day of fasting. It is therefore useful and important for providing the body with the energy it needs. But the benefits of sahour are not limited to this:
Applying the Sunnah...
Well, yes! From the outset, taking the sahour is a practical application of the prophetic tradition. This is therefore worship of Allah, for which we have sincere intentions. And in which we also hope for a reward.
Moreover, it constitutes a difference between Muslims and the People of the Book, as this Hadith shows:
According to 'Amr Ibn Al 'Ass (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (may the prayers of Allah and His salvation be upon him) said: "The difference between our fast and the fast of the People of the Book is the sahur meal".(Reported by Mouslim in his Sahih n°1096)
The blessing in this meal
In fact, there is a 'baraka' from Allah in taking the souhour. And for those who find it difficult to eat at such a late hour of the night, it is indicated that this meal can be taken at the beginning of the last third of the night.
The prayers of Allah and the angels over Muslims
What could be more motivating than knowing that those who take the dawn meal are entitled to as much consideration from the Almighty?!
According to Abu Sa'id Al Khoudri (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (may the prayers of Allah and His salvation be upon him) said: "Eating sahur is a blessing, so do not forsake it even if one of you only takes a sip of water. Indeed, Allah and his angels pray over those who eat sahur".
(Reported by Ahmed in his Mousnad n°1186 and authenticated by Sheikh Albani in Sahih Al Jami n°3683).
A cause for dhikr
Getting up to eat this meal at the end of the night also means getting up in the last third of the night. And we know that this is a good time to ask for more forgiveness, istighfarthe invocations as well as the dhikr.
A few ideas for snacks to make the most of the benefits of sahour
It's obviously important to eat well at this time. So forget the fizzy drinks, the overly sweet products and the buns with oil...
Choose more fruit, a dairy product, pancakes with oatmeal, for example. Or energy balls with ajwa dates. Not forgetting, of course, to keep well hydrated with water!
THE HARAMAIN VOYAGES TEAM
