The Ruling on Delaying the Pre-Dawn Meal

Question : Honorable Shaykh, some people are lax regarding the pre-dawn meal (suhur) because they sleep at three in the morning and say, “We will wake up before the dawn and drink water, and that is sufficient.” What is your opinion on this?

Answer : It is true that the matter is sufficient; that is, if a person eats suhur in the middle of the night and sleeps until near the appearance of the dawn, then wakes up and drinks, there is no doubt about it. However, it is better to delay the entire suhur to the end of the night. This is the way of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). It is reported about him (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said, “People will remain in a state of well-being as long as they hasten to break their fast and delay their suhur.” The first part, “hasten to break their fast,” is established in the two Sahihs (al-Bukhari and Muslim). As for the second part, it is narrated from the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). It is authentic from his words, and it is also authentic from his actions that he used to delay suhur. Yes.