Sarah Soleman
Every year, as Ramadan rolls around, there's one moment we all both dread and secretly look forward toโthe blaring alarm clock at 3:45 AM, signaling one thing: suhoor time.
Now, letโs be honest. Waking up before dawn to eat sounds way cooler in theory than it feels at the moment. You're groggy, stumbling to the kitchen, negotiating with yourself: โDo I make something fancy? Or do I just chug some water and hope it lasts till iftar?โ The fridge door opens, and suddenly the leftover chicken nuggets, a cold slice of pizza, or even a random bowl of cereal become gourmet meals.
But here's the thing: Suhoor hits differently.
Suhoor Is More Than Just Food
Itโs not just about stuffing your face before fajr (though, letโs not lieโthose Oreos do taste elite at 4 AM). Suhoor is an intentional pause. Itโs one of those rare, quiet moments where the whole world feels asleep, but youโre awake, getting ready to take on the day... with an empty stomach and a full heart.
In the Prophet Muhammadโs (PBUH) tradition, suhoor is a sunnah, a source of barakah (blessing). Even something as simple as sipping water at suhoor carries spiritual weight. Thereโs wisdom in that disciplineโchoosing to rise early, setting an intention, and fueling not just your body, but your soul.
The Chaos and Community of Suhoor
And if you live in a house like mine, suhoor isnโt some peaceful, solitary ritual. Itโs chaotic family bonding time. Someoneโs trying to cook eggs while someone else is frantically microwaving rice. Thereโs always that cousin on FaceTime, eyes barely open, giving updates on what random suhoor snack they're eating. And without fail, thereโs the "Suhoor Debater," making the case for why one date and a protein shake are definitely enough to last all day.
These messy, half-asleep moments are what make Ramadan special. Suhoor becomes a shared experienceโa sleepy, funny, low-key act of worship that reminds us weโre part of something bigger. Whether itโs sitting next to your siblings silently munching toast or checking in with friends who are also awake, thereโs a sense of unity in knowing that millions of Muslims around the world are doing the exact same thing at the same time.
Small Acts, Big Impact
The beauty of suhoor is that it teaches us something important: consistency beats intensity. Maybe youโre not doing long prayers every night, but youโre showing up. Youโre getting out of bed, making dua half-asleep, drinking water with the intention of fasting, and starting your day by putting Allah (SWT) first.
Itโs the little actsโwiping sleep from your eyes to make fajr, sharing a plate with family, reciting a short ayah before dawnโthat stack up to transform you by the end of Ramadan.
So, Whatโs the Suhoor Takeaway?
Next time you roll out of bed, hair a mess, trying to figure out if eating instant noodles at 4 AM is a good life choice (it is, by the way), remember:
Suhoor isnโt just a meal. Itโs a microcosm of Ramadan itselfโa little inconvenient, a little chaotic, but filled with barakah, community, and the chance to show up for yourself and your faith in small, meaningful ways.
