Suhoor (the pre- dawn meal) is the name for the food taken at late night before Fajr. Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu alaihi wa-sallam) ordered taking the meal of suhoor saying, “The distinction between our fasting and the fasting of the People of Book is the taking of the pre-dawn meal (suhoor).” [Saheeh Muslim (1096)]
The Excellence of Suhoor is that it is a blessing from Allah. A companion of Allaah's Messenger said, “I entered upon the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa-sallam) and he was taking the suhoor and he said to me, “It is a blessing which Allah has given to you, so do not leave it.” [(Saheeh) Ahmad (5/270) and An-Nisa'ee (4/145)] The Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa-sallam) also said, “Take Suhoor as there is a blessing in it.” [Agreed upon]
Even drinking a cup of water instead of a meal for Suhoor has blessings, for, it implies obeying the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alaihi wa-sallam) and following his Sunnah. Furthermore, Suhoor adds to the physical health, and provides the essential nutrition and strength to sustain the body during the long tiring hours of the day. [See, Fatawa as-Siyam, p.40]
The best form of Suhoor is dates as understood from the following Hadeeth of the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa-sallam), “How excellent are dates as the believer's suhoor.” [(saheeh) Abu Dawood (2/303)]
Delaying Suhoor is a Sunnah: The Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa-sallam) said, “The people will remain on the right path as long as they hasten the Iftar (breaking the fast) and delay taking Suhoor.” [Abu-Dawood]
Source: As-Sunnah Newsletter Vol. 2 Issue No. 7 [Oct-Nov 2005]
