What is the religious significance of the pre-dawn meal (sahur)?

The pre-dawn meal (sahur) is the meal eaten by those who intend to fast before the time of imsak (dawn). The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) would partake in sahur and recommended it to his community. (Bukhari, Sawm, 19-20 [1921, 1923]; Muslim, Siyam, 45-47 [1095-1097])

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) stated that there is “blessing” in the sahur meal (Bukhari, Sawm, 20 [1923]; Muslim, Siyam, 45 [1095]) and noted that having sahur is one of the main distinctions between the fasting of Muslims and the fasting of the People of the Book. (Muslim, Siyam, 46 [1096]) Based on the Prophet’s words and practices regarding sahur, jurists have stated that waking up for sahur and delaying it until close to dawn is a Sunnah. (Kasani, Bada’i, 2/105)

Scholars have explained that sahur provides strength to endure the fast and is a means for both material and spiritual blessings. By waking up for sahur, a person spends the pre-dawn hours awake and, by making supplications and seeking forgiveness at this time, attains the qualities of the people of Paradise. (az-Zariyat, 51/18) Beginning the fast with such spiritual delights makes it more lively and enthusiastic. Sahur, which brings these material and spiritual blessings, should not be neglected.

Source: T.C. Diyanet İşleri Başkanlığı, Din İşleri Yüksek Kurulu