The Evolution of the Idea of Sahar in Islamic Culture

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Article

Author

• Hamed Khani (Farhang Mehrvash)

Associate Professor, Department of Theology and Islamic Studies, Faculty of Civilization and World Studies, Go. C., Islamic Azad University, Gorgan, Iran.

10.22067/jquran.2025.92816.1823

Abstract

The prevailing view among Muslims is that sahar refers to the final segment of the night, ending with the appearance of the true dawn (al-fajr al-ṣādiq). All occurrences of the term in Quranic verses and Islamic narrations have been interpreted based on this understanding. However, contemporary studies indicate that in some early Islamic usages, the term refers to the time after dawn—not before it. These studies suggest that sahar likely originally meant morning in early Arabic culture and only gradually shifted to denote the latter part of the night at an uncertain point in time. Existing research on this hypothesis relies on a limited selection of Qur'anic verses, narrations, and historical reports, often overlooking evidence that contradicts the proposed shift. Thus, a comprehensive examination of all relevant textual evidence—with close analysis and contextual interpretation—is necessary. This study aims to systematically assess the plausibility, timing, and potential causes of such a semantic evolution. The current study hypothesizes that the meaning of sahar gradually transformed from the mid-1st century Hijri onward. Initially referring to the early morning period (from false dawn, al-fajr al-kādhib, until sunrise), the term later came to signify the latter part of the night (from late night until true dawn). The primary driver of this shift was likely the institutionalization of Islamic fasting practices (ṣiyām) and their attendant rituals.

Keywords

• Shahar
• Istighfār
• History of Ideas
• Aʿlā al-Saḥar

Main Subjects

• Semantics of Qurʾanic/Hadith vocabulary

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