What did the prophet eat for sehri? Understanding the Sunnah Meal

December 15, 2025 •

3 min read

According to authentic narrations, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) encouraged Muslims to have a pre-dawn meal, or sehri, for its blessings. He also explicitly stated that dates are the most excellent food for sehri.

Quick Summary

The Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) sehri primarily consisted of dates and water, emphasizing a light, blessed meal. This practice is rooted in both spiritual and health benefits, providing sustained energy for the fasting day.

Key Points

Dates are the best sehri: The Prophet (PBUH) explicitly recommended dates as the most excellent pre-fasting meal for believers.
Combine with water: The Sunnah is to pair dates with water, which is essential for hydration and complements the energy boost from dates.
Delay the meal: The Prophet (PBUH) taught that delaying the pre-dawn meal until just before Fajr offers great blessings.
Incorporate other Prophetic foods: A balanced sehri can include other foods from the Prophet's diet, such as milk, honey, or barley.
Promote sustained energy: The prophetic sehri focuses on naturally nutrient-rich foods that provide slow-releasing energy, preventing sugar crashes.
Avoid heavy, fried foods: Consuming simple, digestible foods like dates, fruits, and grains is preferable to oily, salty, or sugary items that cause thirst and indigestion.

The Core Prophetic Sehri: Dates and Water

The most commonly and explicitly mentioned food that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) ate for sehri was dates. He said, “The most excellent pre-fasting meal of the believer is dates”. His companions reported he would break his fast with fresh dates, or dry dates, and if neither was available, he would drink water. This simple combination is a core aspect of the prophetic sehri.

Dates offer nutritional benefits ideal for fasting, providing natural sugars for energy and fiber for fullness. Minerals like potassium and magnesium in dates help maintain fluid balance and prevent fatigue. Paired with water, this meal ensures proper hydration during long fasting hours.

The Broader Prophetic Diet and Healthy Additions

While dates and water were central, the Prophet's (PBUH) diet included other items that can be incorporated into sehri. He enjoyed milk and barley bread. Dates with milk provide energy, calcium, and protein. Eating fresh dates with cucumbers was another reported combination, offering hydration and complementary nutrients.

Foods from the Prophetic diet that can inspire sehri include:

Dates: Excellent for energy and blessings.
Water: Crucial for hydration.
Milk: A source of protein and calcium.
Barley: Provides complex carbohydrates, often as bread.
Cucumber: Hydrating and rich in vitamins.
Honey: Used by the Prophet (PBUH) mixed with water in the mornings.
Yogurt/Curd: Offers protein, probiotics, and aids digestion.

The Sunnah of Delaying the Sehri

The Prophet (PBUH) recommended delaying sehri until just before dawn. This practice provides maximum energy for the day and aligns with the time for supplication. A narration notes a Companion and the Prophet (PBUH) ate sehri shortly before the Fajr prayer.

It is Sunnah to hasten the breaking of the fast at Iftar, contrasting with the delayed timing of sehri.

Nutritional Comparison: Prophetic Sehri vs. Modern Options


Feature	Prophetic Sehri (Dates, Water, Milk, Barley)	Modern Processed/Heavy Sehri (Fried foods, sugary cereals)
Energy Release	Slow-releasing energy from fiber and complex carbs (dates, barley) provides sustained fuel, preventing mid-day crashes.	Rapid energy spike from simple sugars and refined carbs, leading to a quick energy crash and fatigue.
Hydration	Dates contain high water content and minerals like potassium, while water intake is prioritized, aiding in optimal hydration.	High salt and sugar content in many processed foods and sugary drinks can lead to dehydration and increased thirst.
Digestive Comfort	Dates are gentle on the stomach and rich in fiber, promoting healthy digestion and preventing issues like constipation.	High-fat, oily, and spicy foods can cause digestive discomfort, indigestion, heartburn, and bloating during the fasting day.
Nutritional Value	Rich in essential minerals, vitamins, and fiber, contributing to overall health and well-being.	Often high in empty calories, lacking in essential nutrients, and containing unhealthy fats.

Putting it into Practice: Example Sehri Meals

Simple Sunnah-inspired sehri options include dates with water or a date and milk smoothie. More substantial choices can feature oats with dates and nuts, barley soup, or eggs with avocado.

Conclusion: The Wisdom Behind the Prophetic Sehri

The Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) example for sehri, centered on dates and water, reflects a balanced approach to life. This simple meal provides quick energy, sustained nutrition, and hydration for fasting. Delaying the meal maximizes physical endurance and spiritual benefits. By incorporating prophetic foods and practices, we can nourish our bodies optimally and enrich the fasting experience. Following this Sunnah makes fasting easier and helps attain its rewards. For more information on the Prophet's practices, consult reputable Islamic resources like {Link: islamqa.info https://islamqa.info/en/answers/230906}.

Frequently Asked Questions

While dates are highlighted as the best food for sehri, the Prophet (PBUH) also consumed other foods from his broader diet, such as milk and barley, which can be incorporated into a balanced pre-dawn meal.

No, eating sehri is not mandatory for a fast to be valid. However, it is a highly recommended Sunnah (practice) of the Prophet (PBUH) that brings blessings and helps a person endure the fast with more ease.

Dates provide a quick and sustained energy boost due to their natural sugars and fiber. They aid in digestion, help with hydration through their mineral content, and support overall health during fasting.

The Sunnah is to delay sehri as late as possible, close to the time of the Fajr prayer, but before dawn breaks. This is to maximize the energy for the day and is considered a blessed practice.

Water is the most important drink for hydration. The Prophet (PBUH) would also consume milk. It is best to avoid caffeinated and sugary drinks that can cause dehydration later in the day.

For a balanced sehri, combine dates and water with other nutritious foods like yogurt, oats, or whole-grain bread, and include some lean protein like eggs, as recommended in general healthy eating advice that aligns with prophetic examples.

It is best to avoid overly salty, spicy, fried, and heavily processed sugary foods. These can lead to indigestion, heartburn, and increased thirst throughout the fasting day.