sahur

Sahur, also spelled sahoor or suhoor, is the pre-dawn meal that Muslims consume before beginning the daily fast during the month of Ramadan. The fast starts at fajr, the appearance of dawn, and sahur is eaten before fajr to sustain worshipers through the daylight hours. The exact timing of sahur varies by location and season, as it depends on dawn and sunrise times.

Historically, sahur is regarded as a blessed practice in Islam. It is encouraged to eat sahur and to begin the fast with the meal, though it is not obligatory. Many people aim to eat shortly before fajr and then perform the fajr prayer. People may drink water and eat light foods to maintain energy through the day. Common sahur items include water, dates, dairy products, cereals, fruit, and bread, though regional variations are common.

In communities around the world, sahur customs vary with local cuisine and climate. In some regions, suhoor is a social meal shared with family; in others it is a solitary routine for those who wake early to pray and eat. After dawn, the fast continues until sunset with iftar.