Importance of Waking Up for Suhoor

One of the more difficult acts to accomplish for many Muslims during Ramadan is waking up in the wee hours of the morning to have meals (Suhoor) before the onset of the fast.

In today's modern lifestyle, people have many responsibilities to deal with, in addition to the increased religious obligations. As a result, people are going to bed later. And they try to wake up, but fail. As a result, they feel guilty. And this feeling of guilt eats away at them, and prevents them from having a fulfilling Ramadan. Others yet rationalize that waking up for Suhoor is not at all practical given the time constraints faced by many in today's modern lifestyle. So they skip waking up for Suhoor intentionally. This latter group of people who rationalize not waking up for Suhoor are unfortunately wrong, and hopefully they will realize this soon enough.

Why? Prophet Muhammad's Sunnah is clear on the benefits of waking up for Suhoor.

The Prophet taught us through his own actions that there is barakah (blessings) in the early hours of the morning.

The Prophet said "Have suhoor, for in suhoor there is barakah" (Bukhari, Fath, 4/139).

Would you risk throwing away barakah that is available to you for an extra hour of sleep?

How To Get Barakah By Waking Up for Suhoor

1) Make a conscious effort to not waste time the night before by watching tv, surfing the Internet, or any other unnecessary or un-essential activity. If you do this consciously, you will find that you get to bed earlier, allowing you to sleep longer.

2) Wake up an hour before Fajr for quiet contemplation and remembrance of Allah, reading the Quran, making dua and prayer. This ensures that you gain the spiritual nourishment needed to sustain you throughout the day when you fast.

3) Some people argue that since they are not eating during Suhoor, they do not have to wake up. But keep in mind that waking up for Suhoor is not only about eating. Even if you are not hungry, take something light (a few dates, or a glass of low-fat milk). Then make your Subuh (morning) prayer. After that you may sleep for a bit more with a light heart, or start your day.

If you follow these steps, you will find it that meeting your obligations this Ramadan becomes increasingly easier on yourself.

This is not magic, or make-belief. This is Allah's Barakah at work!

“Baraka is the attachment of Divine Goodness to a thing, so if it occurs in something little, it increases it. And if it occurs in something much it benefits. And the greatest fruit of baraka in all things is to use it in the obedience of Allah, Exalted and Majestic.”

Wake Up for Suhoor And Begin Your Day of Fast With Joy