What is suhoor?
The timing of suhoor, the pre-dawn meal during Ramadan, is essential for fasting Muslims – this guide includes suggestions for the best suhoor recipes.
Suhoor plays a vital role in preparing Muslims for a full day of fasting. It is enjoyed before the fajr prayer (first obligatory prayer of the day), marking the final opportunity to eat and drink until sunset when the fast is broken with iftar. Ramadan 2025 is expected to begin on the evening of Friday, 28 February, depending on the sighting of the new moon.
This early morning meal is not just about nourishment – it is a time for reflection, setting intentions and making a spiritual connection before the fasting day begins. Suhoor typically includes hydrating and energy-sustaining foods, ensuring strength and focus throughout the day.
Make the most of Ramadan and explore these tips and iftar ideas:
10 things to know about Ramadan
Ramadan recipes
Healthy Ramadan recipes
What to eat and drink before a Ramadan fast
How to fast healthily during Ramadan
When is suhoor?
Suhoor time refers to the period before dawn when Muslims eat their pre-dawn meal.
Ideally, suhoor is consumed about two hours before the break of dawn. This timing allows individuals to avoid the rush of preparing food, providing a calm and reflective period to read the Quran and pray Qiyam al-Layl (the night prayer). It also ensures that they are ready to perform the first obligatory prayer of the day, fajr.
While there isn't a strict set time for suhoor, the key is to finish before the fajr prayer, so many Muslims refer to local timetables to plan their suhoor accordingly.
What time does suhoor end?
Suhoor ends at the break of dawn, known as first light, when the sunlight first becomes visible, and the fajr prayer signals the start of the fasting day.
For Ramadan 2025, this will vary depending on the time of year and daylight hours, but generally occurs a little before sunrise. Suhoor time in the UK will conclude around 5:06am at the start of Ramadan and shift earlier towards the end of the month.
Meaning of suhoor
Suhoor is derived from Arabic, meaning the last part of the night. It represents a moment for Muslims to prepare for a day of fasting, Quran reading and worship.
Beyond nourishment, suhoor serves as a positive and mindful period to rejuvenate the spirit. It becomes a reflective and meaningful part of Ramadan for Muslims, offering a chance for spiritual growth.
What is the best thing to eat for suhoor?
A well-planned suhoor meal should ideally consist of nutritious foods that will sustain energy and hydration to keep the body going through the long hours of fasting. Slow-release carbohydrates, proteins and hydrating foods are recommended, while spicy, salty or caffeinated food and drink should be avoided to prevent dehydration.
Some of the best suhoor foods include:
• Eggs: packed with protein that can help keep hunger at bay for longer.
• Slow-release carbohydrates: foods like oats, whole grains and sweet potatoes offer a steady release of energy throughout the day.
• Fruits and vegetables: hydrating and rich with essential vitamins and minerals.
• Nuts: great source of healthy fats and protein.
• Yogurt: provides probiotics and is easy on the stomach.
How is suhoor practiced around the world?
Suhoor traditions reflect the rich diversity of Muslim communities across the world, with each region bringing its own rituals and customs to this pre-dawn meal.
In Egypt, suhoor is deeply tied to the centuries-old tradition of the mesaharaty (dawn caller of Ramadan). These drummers roam neighbourhoods in the early hours, chanting poetic wake-up calls and encouraging families to eat before the fast begins. It’s a cherished practice that has endured for generations, bringing a sense of community to the quiet hours before dawn.
In Turkey, a similar ritual takes place with drummers walking the streets dressed in traditional Ottoman attire, waking people for suhoor. Often, these drummers are accompanied by festive songs and chants, with communities supporting this practice through small donations.
Further east in Indonesia, the call to suhoor is often accompanied by the rhythmic sounds of the bedug drum, played at mosques to signal the approaching dawn. Some communities also organise 'sahoor on the road', a unique tradition where volunteers distribute suhoor meals to the less fortunate, embodying the spirit of giving that Ramadan encourages.
10 food ideas for suhoor
Peanut butter & date oat pots
This nutritious option combines rich peanut butter with naturally sweet dates, plus oats to serve as a slow-release energy pot.
Peach & orange yogurt pots with ginger oats
Refreshing yogurt pots with a zesty peach and orange twist with the warming spice of ginger oats, ideal for an energising start. You can used tinned peaches if fresh are out of season.
Smoothie bowl
This hydrating bowl is packed with fruits, yogurt and granola, and can be customised depending on what you have at home or what fruit is in season.
Two-minute breakfast smoothie
This speedy suhoor choice is an ideal option if you need to serve something fast
Breakfast egg wraps
This vegetarian breakfast is absolutely packed with filling protein thanks to a traditional wheat flatbread being replaced by an egg ‘wrap’.
Ful medames
A hearty Middle Eastern dish of stewed fava beans, rich in protein and fibre, that makes the most of tinned pulses.
Brown rice tabbouleh with eggs & parsley
A wholesome, herby dish that’s served with eggs for a satisfying and balanced start to the day.
Chia pudding
This superfood is creamy, versatile and can be customised with different toppings.
Tomato, cucumber & coriander salad
A light, refreshing salad that is hydrating. Use a tomato variety that’s in season.
Mango salad with avocado and black beans
A vibrant salad that is both nutritious and bursting with flavours, plus it contains four of your recommended 5-a-day portions of fruit and veg.
What is dua for suhoor?
Muslims often begin suhoor time with a dua (prayer of intention), such as:
“Wa bisawmi ghadinn nawaytu min shahri Ramadan.”
(“I intend to fast tomorrow in the month of Ramadan.”)
Reciting this suhoor dua helps affirm the intention to fast, known as niyyah. It reminds Muslims of the purpose behind fasting and underscores their sincere commitment and devotion to fulfilling the obligations of Ramadan.
Read more about Ramadan and Eid:
What is Eid al-Fitr and how is it celebrated?