RAMADHAN 1430
THE FORGOTTEN VIRTUES
The Prophet (saw)
said: “How good is
the date for the
suhoor of a believer”
The Forgotten Virtues of Suhoor &
Iftaar
By Alomgir Ali (Tayyibun Institute)
During the Month of
Ramadhan I am sure we are all
accustomed to hearing about
the virtues of Ramadhan, the
Qur’an and fasting etc.
However, it is rare to hear
about the virtues of two
important aspects of fasting
that we seldom do remember
about their spiritual
significance; suhoor & iftaar.
For many of us, iftaar &
suhoor is not a spiritual
experience, rather it is simply
a means to only fill our
stomachs. In this brief article
I would like to mention some
of the important Prophetic
traditions related to these two
1
aspects of our fast and their pleased that they are fulfilling
significance. the commandment of the
their Lord in breaking their
In one Hadith the fast. In fact the Prophet (saw)
Prophet (saw): “The one who said:“Indeed Allah is happy
fasts has two moments of with his servant when he eats
happiness: when he breaks his he praises Allah.” Therefore,
fast and when he meets his when a person eats whilst
Lord.” (Bukhari). The being grateful, he will become
scholars commented on this delighted at the prospect that
narration saying that this Allah (swt) will be happy with
happiness is a natural him. The Prophet (saw) also
happiness due to the removal said: “The one who eats and
of his hunger and thirst. is grateful is on the same level
However, there is another as the one who fasts and is
reason why the believers patient.” (Bukhari
should be happy as well. &Tirmidhi, Albani: Saheeh).
Namely that they were able
to complete this great act of
worship and that they are
THE FORGOTTEN VIRTUES Surely this should be a reason they have completed a great act of Suhoor even if it is a mouthful of
for us to be delighted with iftaar & worship by the grace of Allah (swt). water.” (Ibn Hibban – hasan/saheeh).
for being delighted that Allah (swt) is One should also remember that In addition to that, how many of us
our Lord and will be, insha’allah, thanking Allah for the food that he remind ourselves of the the
happy with us. Essentially, this is has provided us with leads to the following hadith when we have
also the reason why ‘Eid is such a pleasure of Allah (swt). This is suhoor?: “Indeed Allah and his
joyous occasion, for it reflects one’s especially important to state here Angels send salah for those who have
happiness in receiving Allah’s grace because this is a golden opportunity suhoor.” (Tabarani – hasan/saheeh).
by being able to accomplish this to recognise the blessing of Allah The salah of Allah (swt) entails that
great act of worship. (swt) for the food he has provided us He (swt) mentions that person
Another aspect of iftaar that the with. We must also remember that amongst the highest of gatherings
Prophet (saw) stressed about was the hastening to break the fast is an whilst the salah of the Angels entails
importance of hastening to break important sunnah since we are them making istighfaar for those who
the fast and not to delay it. The differing from the Jews & the have suhoor. Subhanallah, if this was
Prophet (saw) said: “Mankind will Christians. the only virtue of suhoor then it
continue to remain well as long as would suffice as an encouragement
they hasten to break their fasts.” Suhoor to have suhoor and never leave it.
(Agreed Upon). Also the Prophet
(saw) said: “This religion will remain The pre-dawn meal, suhoor is Remembering the virtues of any
to be manifest as long as people also another aspect of our fasting act of worship helps one to truly
that we truly neglect and do not
hasten in breaking their fast. This is benefit spiritually from that act of
because the Jews and the Christians realise it’s significance. For some it is worship, and this applies true to
delay in breaking their fasts.” (Abu simply a means to ‘store up’ food for suhoor & iftaar as well. May Allah
Dawud – Hasan). For some, the the coming day and nothing more. (swt) grant us the ability to benefit
relationship between the However, the Prophet (saw) would from our fasts, from dawn to dusk
manifestation of the religion and encourage his companions to have and make us feel the sweetness in
one’s hastiness in breaking the fast,suhoor for a number of reasons other worshipping him.
might seem at first to be a bit than to simply fill our stomachs; the
obscure. However, the scholars Prophet (saw) said: “Have Suhoor for Alomgir Ali.
mentioned that this is the case sinceverily there is blessing in it.” (Agreed
it shows that if people are eager to upon). Therefore the suhoor is an
be different from the People of The opportunity to reap some barakah. Bibliography:
Book, and preserve their unique However, one may ask: “Where
standards then that will entail that does the barakah lie in having Fath al Bari - Ibn Hajar al
this religion will remain to be suhoor?” To answer that, the ‘Asqalani.
uncorrupted and unblemished by following are some of the blessings Lataa’iful Ma’aarif - Ibn Rajab al
the ill practices of other faiths & that are attained through suhoor: 1. Hanbali.
Following the Prophet’s sunnah. 2.
traditions. Also, it shows that if the Ray’ az Zam’aan - Sa’eed al
Ummah is eager in following the Differing from the people of the ‘Affani.
sunnah, stopping at it’s boundaries book. 3. Strengthening ourselves for Saheeh at-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb - al
regardless of whether it agrees with worship. 4. Repelling bad Albani.
characteristics that are usually
their intellects or not, it will entail
the manifestation of this religion associated with hunger such as
anger. 5. Opportunity to engage in
since Allah (swt) will give tawfeeq to
such people. Therefore, it is of no charity by providing suhoor for
surprise that the Prophet (saw) said:others. 6. Opportunity to make dhikr
“My ummah will continue to remain & du’aa at a blessed time. Therefore,
upon my sunnah as long as they do there are plenty of sources of good
not delay their iftar until the starsin this great act of suhoor. It is of no
appear.” (Abu Dawud – Hasan). surprise therefore that the Prophet
(saw) said: “Indeed it is a blessing
To summarise: Breaking the fast that Allah (swt) has given to all of
is a spiritual experience, it causes you, so do not leave it!” (Nasaa’ie –
one to feel happy at the fact that Saheeh). He (saw) also said: “Have