Top image: Sayli Satpute/Unsplash
Every year, for 30 days, billions of Muslims the world over set aside the temptations of the world to fulfil their religious obligation towards one of Islam’s five pillars—fasting. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from Fajr (sunrise) to Maghrib (sunset) and spend the day practising self-restraint, piety, generosity, and acts of service that bring them closer to God.
While many non-Muslims in Singapore are intimately familiar with the ‘buka’ event—when Muslims are permitted to eat at sunset—many aren’t as well-acquainted with the Sahur, another equally important aspect of fasting that occurs in the wee hours of the morning. While not a mandatory obligation, the pre-dawn meal is a practice that is encouraged to ensure Muslims who are fasting can get through the day’s business with ease.
The Sahur can be consumed anytime before sunrise before the first threads of ember peek through the horizon to symbolise the start of a new day. Still, waking up at 4.30 am for a complete meal can be a shock to the system, especially when the body is not yet prepared to consume food.
It’s for this reason that the pre-dawn meal differs significantly between individuals. Some make do with just a glass of water; many prefer to have dates as part of the meal, while for others, the pre-dawn meal is an elaborate spread of food that caters to the body’s need for nutrition.
We asked some Muslims in Singapore to share with us what the Sahur meal looks like for them in the month of Ramadan and how this pre-dawn practice has evolved since they were but wee tots struggling to even keep their eyes open during the meal.
Fairuz, 25, Desktop Engineer
What was your fondest memory of growing up and having the sahur meal in the morning?
I don’t usually ascribe fond memories to sahur because it is primarily a means of subsistence for the day. But I do remember 2014’s sahur. The World Cup was running concurrently during the month of Ramadan, so on certain days, our eyes would be affixed to the TV and our food.
What is sahur like for you now, as an adult?
Not much has changed; I still sahur with my family, but I pay more attention to getting enough fluids to last me for the day.
Which is a more significant event for you? The Sahur or Buka?
I am more inclined to say buka because I don’t usually have dinner with my family outside of Ramadan. Hence, buka helps bring everyone together to break fast.
What is the one thing you must have during Sahur that will make your fasting journey bearable?
Dates. Safawi, Ajwa, anything; 3 dates and whatever else I consume should be sufficient.
Ridhwan Mohd Basor, 37, Online content policy specialist
What was your fondest memory of growing up and having the sahur meal in the morning?
Being forced to wake up and eat a full meal is one of my fondest memories of sahur. When I was a child, my mum would wake up early to cook for the family. She will prepare proper meals—rice with one or two dishes, mostly vegetables and fish or meat.
We then sat at the dining table and had the sahur meal together. As a teenager, I no longer wanted to eat rice as it was too much to eat for an early morning meal, so I opted for bread and water or milk.
What is sahur like for you now, as an adult?
Nowadays I hardly eat a lot for sahur. I have just dates and plain water at times, and other times, I have leftover porridge from buka. If I don’t eat my post-tarawih light meal, I’ll have oats or soup with nuts and dates for sahur. In the current Covid-19 situation, I also try to take vitamins with immunity boost supplements.
Which is a more significant event for you? The Sahur or Buka?
Definitely buka. Usually, we have more time for buka. However, sahur shouldn’t be neglected as it is a super important meal and a sunnah (prophetic practice).
What is the one thing you must have during Sahur that will make your fasting journey bearable?
Dates.
Liyana, 25, Early Childhood Educator
What was your fondest memory of growing up and having the sahur meal in the morning?
I think my fondest memory of sahur would be that we got a free pass to eat whatever we wanted for that day. Growing up, my mum regulates our instant food and junk food intake, but when it comes to sahur, if we wanted to eat Maggi or chocolates, she would allow it because we’re going to fast for the whole day 🤣
What is sahur like for you now, as an adult?
Now that I’m an adult, sahur is more for me to make sure I eat enough to sustain my energy for the day. I work with kids, so I have to make sure I eat food that ensures I can keep up with the little people who run on an infinite amount of stamina and energy.
Which is a more significant event for you? The Sahur or Buka?
For me, definitely buka because I get to eat all the good food! Buka usually means the whole family will eat together. Occasionally, I break fast with my extended family and catch up with friends. We make sure we meet each other at least once in Ramadhan to break fast together.
What is the one thing you must have during Sahur that will make your fasting journey bearable?
I have to drink at least one tall glass of water right before the adzan. The timing is crucial because I need to wash down all the food before starting my fast. Another must-have that I only started eating recently is three dates. Other than being a sunnah food, I find that it helps me get through my day better.
Sabrina Elman, 25, Social insights analyst
What was your fondest memory of growing up and having the sahur meal in the morning?
I used to struggle to eat anything for sahur. I’d feel extremely nauseous, and all I could take in were liquids like hot soup and drinks. This worried my mum a lot; she tried many ways to help me gain an appetite during sahur—soaking small pieces of bread in my soup, mashing dates into hot tea, even blending oats into my cup of milo. There truly is nothing like a mother’s love, and I’ll never forget the things she did for me.
What is sahur like for you now, as an adult?
I usually consume any of the leftovers from the night before. I’d make a simple toast with honey or the classic rice with kicap and fried egg if there isn’t any.
Which is a more significant event for you? The Sahur or Buka?
Definitely Buka. I love the days my mum, sisters, and I can get together and cook up a storm for breakfast. The ambience is great too—evening sun, lampu lap lip, and the iconic song after prayer call! I don’t know what it’s called, though. Lol.
What is the one thing you must have during Sahur that will make your fasting journey bearable?
Coffee and dates are a must. I cannot function without my coffee, and dates are great for an energy boost.
Izyan, 32, Product Designer
What was your fondest memory of growing up and having the sahur meal in the morning?
It is the storytelling and the family time. Because it is so early and we have nowhere to go, sahur is that one time in the year when we have a whole month of having a meal together. We would be blurry-eyed, my mum would be trying to rush out a meal, and in our half-awake state, we would laugh about how it almost feels ridiculous to eat fish curry at 5am. Sometimes, too, other old stories come about in the silence of the meal, and I love those moments so much.
What is sahur like for you now, as an adult?
With my partner, we take turns preparing what is most convenient to prepare. Breakfast is my favourite meal of the day, and I’m glad I get to have that! Sometimes it is just heating up slices of bread in the air fryer, and other times is reheating one of the many boxes of leftovers in the fridge. Essentially, we try to take the option of least effort and washing.
Which is a more significant event for you? The Sahur or Buka?
That is a tough one. I do miss sahur at the end of Ramadan. It is like a little pre-dawn secret—a la The Secret Lives of Muslims—and choosing to do it gives me a sense of empowerment. On the other hand, buka fills me with so much gratitude; a sip of water tastes so sweet, every morsel of food is treasured, and life feels bountiful.
Then, when generous gestures happen, like people remembering you need to buka or someone giving you a snack for later, these add up and make you feel loved.
What is the one thing you must have during Sahur that will make your fasting journey bearable?
I used to need some form of caffeine, tolerating dehydration for that little boost. But that has since been taken over by a glass of water and a predicted craving, like a piece of chocolate, cheese or some other snack. Thinking about chocolate the whole day isn’t the best way to live your life, HAHA!
Shafiq Apandi, 23, NSF
What was your fondest memory of growing up and having the sahur meal in the morning?
I can’t think of one because I don’t have one.
What is sahur like for you now, as an adult?
Sahur to me now is just early breakfast. Nothing special. I’m in the adulting phase and am constantly tired. My family stopped putting significance into sahur too. Ramadan is just like any other day. We would eat sahur on our own timing and go straight back to sleep.
For today specifically, I decided to eat sahur at 12.45am, just before I go to bed, so that I can sleep uninterrupted.
Which is a more significant event for you? The Sahur or Buka?
Definitely, buka because there is a fixed timing where we sit down to eat, compared to sahur where we eat anytime we feel like as long as it is before the sunrise. Buka also allows us to connect with our family and friends over dinner.
What is the one thing you MUST have during Sahur that will make your fasting journey bearable?
I will drink a lot of water because I get thirsty quickly. Skipping meals has been a norm since polytechnic days, so food is not a concern.
Bob Mubarak, 42, Accidental social media influencer
What was your fondest memory of growing up and having the sahur meal in the morning?
I remember my mum waking me up three times before giving up and bringing plain hot water to drink in my bed. I felt so well taken care of!
What is sahur like for you now, as an adult?
A simple affair. I will open my fridge and see what is easy to cook. It always ends up as eggs and nuggets or hotdogs. I prefer to have proteins rather than carbs. Somehow carbs make me hungrier during the day.
Which is a more significant event for you? The Sahur or Buka?
Buka! Usually, we try to buka at my mum’s place. For the first day of Ramadhan, she will always make us mutton chop. We have loved it since I was in primary school, so it always brings back good memories. Seeing the whole family seated down together for a meal is a major blessing.
What is the one thing you must have during Sahur that will make your fasting journey bearable?
A cup of hot water. Literally hot, almost boiling temperature, and I will sip it slowly. I also need to drink up to three litres of water.
Farhana, 30, Civil servant
What was your fondest memory of growing up and having the sahur meal in the morning?
My fondest memory would be waking up at 3.30am, washing up and then having sahur at any 24 hours eatery near Mustafa Centre with my parents and brother. Then, we would go to Mustafa Centre to window shop and, at times, buy the most random things or food! We usually do this on either Fridays or Saturdays, and we used to do this a lot when both my brother and myself were not married yet.
What is sahur like for you now, as an adult?
Now that I am married, I have to prepare sahur for my husband and me. Sometimes we take turns to sahur when either child wakes up. But most of the time, during sahur, we would catch up with what’s happening in our lives because that’s the only quiet time we have together without any interruptions.
Which is a more significant event for you? The Sahur or Buka?
Honestly, I would say sahur. I look forward to preparing sahur for my husband. I’d make an English Breakfast for him or even a simple Indomie Goreng. Sahur is more relaxing than buka because buka is a tad rushed for us. We have to buka fast because we’d want to pray together.
Still, before praying, we need to clean up the dining area where the kids made a mess eating, then clean the kids up… it never ends until bedtime. Buka is very hectic in our household.
What is the one thing you MUST have during Sahur that will make your fasting journey bearable?
If it is one thing, it is my seven dates. Yes, it has to be 7. If I take less than seven dates, I’d feel incomplete, and I won’t be able to feel as energetic.
I can have seven dates for sahur, and I am good.
Mezzamilda, 38, Executive Assistant
What was your fondest memory of growing up and having the sahur meal in the morning?
My younger self would prefer to have a cup of water and head straight to bed to have a longer sleeping time.
What is sahur like for you now, as an adult?
Turn a complete 360° after having children. I take pains to prepare a more extensive Sahur, ensuring they have a balanced meal even though the quantity is smaller. For instance, today, I prepared a small bowl of Nasi Lemak, two watermelon slices, a cup of milk, and a glass of water.
Which is a more significant event for you? The Sahur or Buka?
Definitely buka, especially with the children around. After a hard day of abstaining from food and drink, it’s a big reward.
What is the one thing you MUST have during Sahur that will make your fasting journey bearable?
Water! Keep hydrated.
Syahid Isn, 34, Teacher
What was your fondest memory of growing up and having the sahur meal in the morning?
I remember waking up to the smell of fried chicken in the kitchen. And once my mom almost burnt the house down using our microwave oven. I didn’t know what had happened—I was too sleepy.
What is sahur like for you now, as an adult?
My mom would always prepare sahur for us, but she doesn’t cook as often as she is ageing. Perhaps we would have just rice, vegetables, and a fried egg with kicap. Sometimes I would have dates, and maybe we would buy food the night before.
Which is a more significant event for you? The Sahur or Buka?
I would say buka because I celebrate the idea of having dinner with family & friends.
What is the one thing you MUST have during Sahur that will make your fasting journey bearable?
Water! As much as I can drown myself with it.
