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Muslims generally break their fast by eating dates. Prophet Muhammad
(SAAW) 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 (SAAW) 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 (SAAW).
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.
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The Prophet (SAAW) 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 (AS), mother of Nabie 'Isa (AS), 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 (SAAW) has
emphasized the importance of dates and their effectiveness in the
growth of the fetus. |
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He has also recommended they be given to women. Modern dietary
institutes now recommend dates to be given to children suffering
from a nervous nature or hyperactivity. The Prophet (SAAW) has also
recommended dates as a medicine for heart troubles, according to
some reports. Modern science has also proved the effectiveness of
dates in preventing diseases of the respiratory system.
Sayyidah Aeysha (RA), wife of Prophet (SAAW), 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!" Aeysha (RA) 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 (SAAW) 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.
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