(Part 3)
By Naib Zakari
Before Dawn (Suhur): A Time for Prayer and Whispered Supplication
In the heart of the blessed nights of Ramadan, there is a golden and unparalleled moment, when Allah (Subhanallah wa Ta’ala) opens the doors of His mercy to His servants. This moment is Suhur, the pre-dawn hour, when the darkness of night gently yields to the first light of dawn, and the atmosphere is filled with serenity and purity.
This time is not merely for eating Pre-dawn meal rather, it is a sacred opportunity for intimate conversation with Allah a moment of humble supplication before the Lord of all worlds. Suhur is the private retreat of lovers of Allah and the hour of tearful repentance and seeking forgiveness for the believers. It is that blessed instant when the heart detaches from worldly distractions and the soul ascends toward the divine realm.
About the righteous, Allah says:
«كَانُوا قَلِيلًا مِنَ اللَّيْلِ مَا يَهْجَعُونَ وَبِالْأَسْحَارِ هُمْ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ» (الذاریات: ۱۷–۱۸)
“They used to sleep but little of the night, And in the hours before dawn they would ask forgiveness”. (Adh-Dhariyat, Ayat 17-18)
This blessed verse presents a beautiful picture of those servants who have risen from sweet sleep and gone to the presence of their Allah (Subhanallah wa Ta’ala). Suhur is a time for the descent of mercy and the forgiveness of sins. In these precious moments, the dust of sins is removed from the hearts, and the breeze of forgiveness touches the souls.
The Suhur hours of blessed Ramadan carry a unique and sacred atmosphere, an ambiance in which not only the body, but also the soul, observes the fast. In these holy hours, the veils of heedlessness are lifted, and one encounters their true self before the majesty of Allah. Suhur is a time when the earth breathes the fragrance of the heavens, and the angels gather around the night-awake servants, offering prayers of forgiveness from the Divine Presence until the first light of dawn. These are the moments when Allah takes pride in His servants and commands the angels: “Behold My servants, who have spent the night in worship, roused by none but Me.”
The Suhur hours of Ramadan are a time for the soul’s renewal and for strengthening the humble connection with Allah Subhanallah wa Ta’ala. In these precious moments, broken hearts are healed, and tearful eyes find light. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
«إِنَّ فِي اللَّيْلِ لَسَاعَةً لَا يُوَافِقُهَا رَجُلٌ مُسْلِمٌ يَسْأَلُ اللَّهَ خَيْرًا مِنْ أَمْرِ الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ إِلَّا أَعْطَاهُ إِيَّاهُ» (رواه مسلم)
Indeed, there is a moment during the night that, if a Muslim attains it and asks Allah for the good of this world and the Hereafter, Allah, will grant it, and this occurs every night. How wonderful, then, it is to cherish the pre-dawn hours of Ramadan and partake in this Divine promise.
Similarly, in another hadith, it is mentioned:
«يَنْزِلُ رَبُّنَا تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى كُلَّ لَيْلَةٍ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا حِينَ يَبْقَى ثُلُثُ اللَّيْلِ الآخِرُ، فَيَقُولُ: مَنْ يَدْعُونِي فَأَسْتَجِيبَ لَهُ، مَنْ يَسْأَلُنِي فَأُعْطِيَهُ، مَنْ يَسْتَغْفِرُنِي فَأَغْفِرَ لَهُ» (متفق علیه)
Our Lord, the Blessed and the Exalted, descends every night to the lowest heaven when one-third of the latter part of the night is left, and says: Who supplicates Me so that I may answer him? Who asks Me so that I may give to him? Who asks Me forgiveness so that I may forgive him?
This is a special proclamation of mercy, a manifestation of Divine care for the servants who are awake at night.
Suhur is a time of solitude and intimacy with Allah. In this private communion, a person can repent for past sins, supplicate for the future, and seek the ability to perform righteous deeds. The purification of the soul cannot be complete without such heartfelt conversation with the Divine. When a servant stands in the depths of the night before their Lord, sharing their weakness and need, their spirit is purified, and the rust of sin is removed from the heart. Suhur is also a time for the distribution of spiritual sustenance; in these hours, Allah bestows special blessings upon His servants and opens the doors of mercy for them.
Let us not let the pre-dawn hours of this blessed Ramadan slip away. Before rising for the Suhur, let us dedicate a few moments to supplication, seeking forgiveness, and intimate prayer. Let us ask Allah to count us among His righteous servants and grant us the ability to fully benefit from the blessings of this sacred month. The suhur hours of Ramadan are a great spiritual treasure, let us recognize their value. Many servants have attained the highest ranks of closeness to Allah during these hours, and countless sins have been forgiven in these blessed moments.