247x247px|thumb|An example of a [[Jordanian cuisine|Jordanian sahur table]]
Suhur or sahur (; ), also called sahari, sahri, or sehri (), is the meal consumed early in the morning by Muslims before fasting (sawm), before dawn during or outside the Islamic month of Ramadan. The meal is eaten before fajr prayer. Suhur corresponds to iftar, the evening meal during Ramadan, replacing the traditional three meals a day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner),
Before the daily fast begins, Muslims wake early to eat a meal called suhur. This meal helps provide energy for the day of fasting and is often eaten shortly before dawn prayer.
Suhur is considered spiritually meaningful as it prepares believers for the day’s fasting and worship.
Musahharati
The musahharati (; also anglicized as musaharati), also called "Ramadan drummer" in English, is a public waker for suhur and dawn prayer during Ramadan. According to the history books, Bilal ibn Rabah was the first musaharati in Islamic history, as he used to roam the streets and roads throughout the night to wake people up.
The occupation is described by a Damascene musaharati: "My duty during the holy month of Ramadhan is to wake people up in the old city of Damascus for prayers and Suhur meal." According to a Tripoli musaharati, the attributes every musaharati should possess are physical fitness and good health, "because he is required to walk long distances every day. He should also have a loud voice and good lungs, as well as an ability to read poems. A musaharati should supplicate God throughout the night to wake the sleepers."
The tradition is practiced in Egypt, Syria, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Jordan, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Palestine. However, there has been a gradual disappearance of the musaharati due to several factors, including: Muslims staying up later; using technology such as alarm clocks to wake for suhur; and larger homes and louder cities that make the voice of the musaharati harder to hear.
In Indonesia, a kentongan or a bedug is used to wake households up to eat the suhur meal.
Significance
Suhur is a key significant act during fasting, it is considered a recommended act by the prophet. This made the Sahur not just eating as a means of sustenance, but also as an act of worship.