Sehri is the pre-dawn meal Muslims eat before beginning the fast for the day during Ramadan. It is an important part of the fasting experience, providing nourishment and sustenance to last through a day of abstaining from food and drink. After finishing the Sehri meal, it is recommended to recite prayers and supplications known as Sehri Dua.
What is Sehri Dua?
Sehri Dua are prayers and invocations Muslims make to Allah after partaking the pre-fast meal before fajr time. These supplications ask for Allah’s blessings, mercy and forgiveness during the coming fast and throughout the holy month of Ramadan. Some popular Sehri Dua are verses from the Quran while others are extra prayers taught by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Reciting Sehri Dua sets a positive, spiritual intention for the fast and connects the faster to Allah. The words remind Muslims of the purpose and higher meaning behind fasting beyond just physical abstinence from food. Making Sehri Dua is considered mustahabb or very rewarding.
Popular Sehri Dua from Quran and Hadith
Here are some of the most well-known and oft-recited Sehri Dua in English and Arabic:
Surah Al-Qadr
English: Indeed, We sent the Qur’an down during the Night of Decree. And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace it is until the emergence of dawn.
Arabic: إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ ٱلْقَدْرِ وَمَآ أَدْرَىٰكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ ٱلْقَدْرِ لَيْلَةُ ٱلْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌۭ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍۢ تَنَزَّلُ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ وَٱلرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمْرٍ سَلَـٰمٌ هِىَ حَتَّىٰ مَطْلَعِ ٱلْفَجْرِ
Reciting this chapter of the Quran reminds us of the immense blessings and rewards that await us in the month of Ramadan. It fills the heart with peace, tranquility and motivation to fast sincerely.
Hadith on Intention for Fasting
English: The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, “Whoever does not intend an overnight fast from the night before, then there is no fasting for him.”
Arabic: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ” مَنْ لَمْ يُجْمِعِ الصِّيَامَ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَلاَ صِيَامَ لَهُ ” ((متفقٌ عليه)).
This hadith highlights the importance of sincerely intending to fast from the night before. Reciting this reminds us to strengthen our intention, seek Allah’s help and prepare ourselves spiritually for the coming day of fasting.
Dua for Fasting from Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
English: Anas reported Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) as saying: When anyone of you intends to wake (for sehri) he should say: “O Allah! for thee I have fasted and with Thy sustenance I have broken my fast.”
Arabic: عَنْ أَنَسٍ، قَالَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يُصْبِحَ يَقُول: ”اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ صُمْتُ وَبِكَ آمَنْتُ وَعَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْتُ، وَعَلَى رِزْقِكَ أَفْطَرْتُ، فَتَقَبَّلْ مِنِّي إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ ”
This Sehri Dua taught by the Prophet encapsulates the essence and purpose behind fasting in Ramadan, allowing us to beseech Allah’s mercy, blessings and acceptance as we begin our fast.
Additional Popular Sehri Dua
Here are some other commonly recited Sehri Dua:
Rabbanaa wa lakaal-hamd, Laa ilaaha illa ant, subhaanaka inni kuntu minath thaalimiin.
Our Lord, and for You is all praise, there is no deity but You, I was indeed among the wrongdoers.
Allah humma inni laka sumto wa bika aamantu [wa ‘alayka tawakkaltu] wa ‘ala rizq-ika aftarthu.
O Allah! I fasted for You and I believe in You [and I put my trust in You] and I break my fast with Your sustenance.
These short prayers recognize Allah’s greatness, admit our shortcomings before Him, and affirm our faith and reliance on Him as we start our fast.
Timing and Etiquette of Reciting Sehri Dua
- Sehri Dua should be recited after eating the pre-dawn meal (sehri/suhoor) and drinking water just before the entering of Fajr prayer time.
- Perform ablution (wudu) before making any supplications.
- Face the Qibla direction when reciting the dua.
- Raise hands palms-up when making the supplications.
- Keep the voice moderate, neither too loud nor completely silent.
- Concentrate fully, understand the meaning and come from a state of humility.
- Can be recited individually or collectively in a family setting.
Making Sehri Dua with proper etiquette sets us up mentally, physically and spiritually for the coming fast and connects us to the deeper essence behind the act of fasting itself.
Benefits and Rewards of reciting Sehri Dua
Some blessings and favors gained by reciting Sehri Dua include:
- Purifies intentions and reminds purpose of fast
- Seeks Allah’s help, mercy and forgiveness
- Connects us to Allah starting the fast
- Sets a positive mood and peaceful spirit
- Motivation to fast wholeheartedly
- Angels say Ameen to supplications
- Gates of heaven open when breaking fast
- Helps avoid useless talk, arguments
- Rewarded even if fast ends up breaking
Through Sehri Dua we set the tone for our fast, align ourselves to Allah’s remembrance and gain immense spiritual benefits alongside the physical challenge of abstaining from food and drink.
Frequently Asked Questions on Sehri Dua
Q: Do I have to recite Sehri Dua in Arabic or can I use English translations?
A: While reading the original Arabic invocations carries extra blessings, reciting the English translation holds merits too. The key is understanding what you are saying to have deeper intention and connection.
Q: When exactly should Sehri Dua be recited?
A: Ideally Sehri Dua should be recited in the last 5-10 minutes before Fajr adhan time starts, after eating Sehri and drinking water for the fast.
Q: Is it okay to read Sehri Dua from a book or mobile app?
A: Yes, you can read the text of Sehri prayers from a booklet, mobile app or print-out as long as you are trying to understand and absorb the meaning. The benefit comes from the actual supplication, not just mindless reading.
Q: Do my Sehri Dua still count if I unintentionally break the fast later?
A: Even if your fast ends up becoming invalidated unintentionally later in the day, the Sehri Dua at the start still carries rewards and acceptance from Allah based on the intention.
Q: Can we make our own personal Sehri Dua instead of famous ones?
Of course, using your own words and reflection in Sehri Dua is perfectly fine. Just maintain the essence of seeking Allah’s aid, grace and forgiveness as we embark on the fast.