Suhoor by Nargis Jahan-Uddin

“Eat and drink (the pre-fasting meal) and let not the ascending light stop you. Eat and drink until you see redness on the horizon.”

[Sunan al-Tirmidhī 705, Grade: Sahih]

Waking up for suhoor has always been a massive struggle for me. I can wake for fajr and pray alhamdulillah but to actually get up and get myself sorted enough to eat something at suhoor has always been difficult. I am just not a pre-dawn person, never have been!

Suhoor during my childhood is filled with memories of me sluggishly getting out of bed before my mum gets angry at me and gives me ‘the stare’, going to the table to find lots of rice, curry, cream and mango. The rice was always made fresh, the scent of freshly cooked rice wafted through the air, enticing like a warm embrace. I was never able to eat any of the curry except the plain rice on its own. Suhoor in my childhood was filled with lots of hustle and bustle, bright lights, sounds of pots and pans and my parents reminding me to make intention and eat quickly. Dad trying to engage in conversation to keep us alert, mum piling more food on to our plates.

Looking back, I am grateful for these memories and grateful to my parents that they made such an effort to ensure we were well fed and well prepared for the fast ahead in the best way they knew how. I look back fondly and remember how much heart they put in it all even though they must have been shattered and exhausted too. They must have woken super early to prepare everything and make it all hot and fresh for I would only need to get up at the eating part and not the prepping part.

Now I am the parent and suhoor is still a struggle for me. My children are older now and my 11 year old is keeping all his fasts this year. My 9 and 7 year old are fasting (or half fasting) during the holidays. I need to be the responsible one this time, no one will be waking me up and preparing all this food for me. It’s my turn to do it, create memories. My turn to make the effort and know that whatever I do, intentionally or unintentionally, my children will remember it.

It is daunting for me as a parent to embrace something that has always been a struggle. But alhamdulillah, I look at my children and know that the memories I create for them will stay through their lifetime. I cannot prepare elaborate meals for them, I doubt they would eat it. However, I can try to set a simple scene and make suhoor feel like a special and magical experience.

So here is my attempt – a few candles, some scattered fairy lights and a beautiful melodious recitation  for them to wake up to (they are sitting quietly on the sofa listening). All whilst I prepare their weetabix. Not elaborate or particularly taxing, I know. But inshaAllah a memory for a child nonetheless. For me, suhoor is about sweet, soothing simplicity.

Please share your Ramadan moments and how you have created traditions for your children.

“The pre-fasting meal is a blessed meal, so do not abandon it even if you take only a sip of water. Verily, Allah and his angels send blessings upon those who take the pre-fasting meal.”

[Musnad Aḥmad 11003, Grade: Sahih]

By Nargis Jahan-Uddin

Founder of Muslim Mamas. Nargis graduated from The London School of Economics and Political Science in International Relations and History. She then completed her PGCE in English at The Institute of Education and worked as an English teacher for many years. Nargis was born and brought up in London where she currently resides with her husband and four beautiful children. Nargis’ passion lies in building communities and connections and has worked avidly in the media, education, charity and community sectors. She loves socialising, travelling and spending time with family.