There are a number of hadiths that speak of the virtue of sahoor, such as that in which the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said:
“Eat sahoor, for in sahoor there is blessing
Narrated by al-Bukhaari (1923) and Muslim (1095).
And he (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said:
“The difference between our fasting and the fasting of the People of the Book is the meal before dawn (sahoor).”
Narrated by Muslim (1096).
And he (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said:
“Verily Allah, may He be exalted, and His angels send blessings upon those who eat sahoor.”
Narrated by Ahmad (11086); classed as saheeh by the commentators on al-Musnad. Classed as hasan by al-Albaani in as-Saheehah (1654)
What is meant by sahoor in these hadiths is the food eaten before dawn by the one who is going to fast in particular, because that food gives the fasting person strength for the act of worship that is fasting, and makes it easier for him. Moreover it is that differentiates between our fast – us Muslims – and the fast of the People of the Book. This is understood from the comments of the scholars about the reason why sahoor is regarded as a blessing.
An-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
The scholars are unanimously agreed that it (sahoor) is mustahabb but is not obligatory. As for the barakah that is in it, it is obvious, because it gives one strength and energy to fast, and because of it one wants to fast more, because it reduces the hardship involved for the one who eats sahoor. This is the correct view concerning its significance.
End quote from Sharh an-Nawawi ‘ala Muslim (7/206)
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