The Benefits of Dates
Muslims generally break their fast by eating dates. Prophet Muhammad
(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) is reported to have said: "if anyone of
you is fasting, let him break his fast with dates. In case he does not
have them, then with water. Verily water is a purifier."
The Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) used to break his fast by
eating some dates before offering Maghrib prayer, and if ripe dates were
not available, he used to substitute them with some dried grapes. When
they too were not available, he used to have a few sips of water,
according to some reports. Modern science has proved that dates are part
of a healthy diet. They contain sugar, fat and proteins, as well as
important vitamins. Hence the great importance attached to them by the
Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam).
Dates are also rich in natural fibres. Modern medicine has shown that
they are effective in preventing abdominal cancer. They also surpass
other fruits in the sheer variety of their constituents. They contain
oil, calcium, sulphur, iron, potassium, phosphorous, manganese, copper
and magnesium. In other words, one date is a minimum of a balanced and
healthy diet. Arabs usually combine dates with milk and yogurt or bread,
butter and fish. This combination indeed makes a self-sufficient and
tasty diet for both mind and body. Dates and date palms have been
mentioned in the Holy Qur'an 20 times, thus showing their importance.
The Prophet likened a good Muslim to the date palm, saying, "Among
trees, there is a tree like a Muslim. Its leaves do not fall."
Sayyidah Mariam(alaiyhas salaam) mother of Isa(alaiyhis salaam) had
dates as her food when she felt labour pains and during confinement.
They are definitely the "crown of sweets," and ideal food which is easy
to digest, and within half an hour of taking it, the tired body regains a
renewed vigour. The reason for this is that a shortage of sugar in the
blood is the main factor that makes people feel hungry and not an empty
stomach as is often assumed. When the body absorbs the nutritional
essence of a few dates, the feeling of hunger becomes appeased. When one
breaking the fast with dates takes some other food afterwards, he
cannot eat much. It would seem that breaking the fast with dates then
helps one avoid excessive eating.
Experiments have also shown that dates contain some stimulants that
strengthen the muscles of the uterus in the last months of pregnancy.
This helps the dilation of the uterus at the time of delivery on one
hand and reduces the bleeding after delivery on the other. Dieticians
consider dates as the best food for women in confinement and those who
are breast-feeding. This is because dates contain elements that assist
in alleviating depression in mothers and enriching the breast-milk with
all the elements needed to make the child healthy and resistant to
disease. The Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) has emphasized the
importance of dates and their effectiveness in the growth of the fetus.
He has also recommended they be given to women. Modern dietary institute
now recommend dates to be given to children suffering from a nervous
nature or hyperactivity. The Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) has
also recommended dates as a medicine for heart troubles, according to
some reports. Modern science has also proved the effectiveness of date,
in preventing diseases of the respiratory system.
Sayyidah Ayisha, (R.A.) wife of Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam),
used to prescribe dates for those suffering from giddiness. It is now
well known that a fall in the level of the sugar in the blood and low
blood pressure are among the causes of giddiness. She was also reported
to have used dates combined with cucumber to treat her over-slim
condition! She said, "they've tried to fatten me giving me everything.
But I did not become fat. Then they fattened me with cucumber and ripe
dates and I gained!" Ayisha was quite correct, as we now know that one
kilogram of dates contains nearly 3,000 calories which alone are
sufficient to supply the minimum daily requirements of an active man for
one full day.
Dates are rich in several vitamins and minerals. When the level of trace
elements falls in the body, the health of the blood vessels is affected
leading to an increased heart-rate and a consequent inability to
perform its function with normal efficiency. As dates are also rich in
calcium, they help strengthen the bones. When the calcium content in the
body decreases, children are affected with rickets and the bones of
adults become brittle and weak.
Dates are also important in keeping up the health of eyes. It is quite
effective in guarding against night-blindness. In the early years of
Islam, dates served as food for Muslim warriors. They used to carry them
in special bags hung at their sides. They are the best stimulant for
muscles and so the best food for a warrior about to engage in battle.
The Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) used to combine dates with
bread sometimes. At other times he mixed ripe dates with cucumber, or
dates combined with ghee. He used to take all varieties of dates, but he
preferred the variety called Ajwah.
[with permission from: muslimsites and crescentlife]
