Sahri

Sahri (alternatively spelled Sehri or Suhoor) is the term commonly used in South Asian Muslim communities (Urdu/Hindi speakers) for the pre-dawn meal consumed before beginning the daily fast during Ramadan. It is linguistically derived from the Arabic "Suhoor," with "Sahar" meaning "dawn" or "the last part of the night." This meal is eaten in the early morning hours before the Fajr (dawn) prayer, after which the fast commences until sunset. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) strongly emphasized the importance and blessings of this meal, saying: "Have Sahri, because in Sahri there is blessing (Barakah)" (Bukhari). Even consuming a single date or a drink of water fulfills this Sunnah and brings its blessings. In South Asian culture, families often wake together for Sahri, with neighborhoods sometimes having traditional drummers (Zohridaar in Bengal or Sahar Khan in parts of India) who walk through the streets to ensure everyone wakes in time. The blessing of Sahri includes physical nourishment for the day's fast, spiritual reward for following the Sunnah, and the precious opportunity for pre-dawn prayer (Tahajjud) and supplication (Dua) during the last third of the night, when Allah descends to the lowest heaven and asks, "Who is asking Me, so that I may give him?" (Muslim). Sahri represents both physical preparation and spiritual opportunity.