This chapter draws attention to suhur, the meal eaten before dawn by those who will fast. Far from a mere routine, it is presented as a blessed practice the believer is encouraged to keep.
The hadith describe the blessing in this meal and the value of taking it close to dawn without crossing into the start of the fast. They mark the moment of stopping by the proper call to prayer, and note that this predawn meal is part of what distinguishes the Muslim way of fasting. The thread is to fast with ease and blessing, not needless hardship.
Hadith 1229
Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
عن أنس، رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: "تسحروا فإن في السحور بركة" ((متفق عليه))
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Eat Suhur (predawn meal). Surely, there is a blessing in Suhur." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
Take the predawn meal before fasting, for there is blessing in it. A simple practice that strengthens and benefits the one who fasts.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1229 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 239
Hadith 1230
Zaid bin Thabit (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن زيد بن ثابت رضي الله عنه قال: تسحرنا مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ثم قمنا إلى الصلاة قيل كم كان بينهما؟ قال: خمسون آية ((متفق عليه))
We took Suhur (predawn meal) with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and then we stood up for (Fajr) Salat (prayer). It was asked: "How long was the gap between the two?" He replied: "The time required for the recitation of fifty Ayat." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
The Prophet finished his predawn meal close to dawn, leaving only a short gap before the morning prayer. An example of delaying suhur until near its end.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1230 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 240
Hadith 1231
Ibn 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:
وعن ابن عمر رضي الله عنهما قال: كان لرسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم مؤذنان: بلال وابن أم مكتوم. فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم " إن بلالا يؤذن بليل فكلوا واشربوا حتى يؤذن ابن أم مكتوم" قال ولم يكن بينهما إلا أن ينزل هذا ويرقى هذا، ((متفق عليه))
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) had two Mu'adhdhin: Bilal and Ibn Umm Maktum (May Allah be pleased with them). The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Bilal proclaims Adhan [call to Salat (prayer)] at fag end of night, so eat and drink till Ibn Umm Maktum pronounces Adhan." Ibn 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) added: And the gap between their Adhan was not more than the time spent in one's getting down and the other's climbing (the minaret). [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
With two callers to prayer, people could eat and drink until the second call, showing that the predawn meal may continue until the true start of the fast.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1231 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 241
Hadith 1232
'Amr bin Al-'As (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن عمرو بن العاص رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله قال: "فصل ما بين صيامنا وصيام أهل الكتاب أكلة السحر. ((رواه مسلم)).
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The difference between our observance of Saum (fasting) and that of the people of the Scriptures is Suhur (predawn meal in Ramadan)." [Muslim].
In plain words
Taking the predawn meal is noted as a mark that sets the Muslim practice of fasting apart from that of earlier communities.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1232 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 242