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Dates
Muslims generally break
their fast by eating dates. Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) 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 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. 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 (the
Virgin Mary) mother of Jesus (Pbuh) 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 (Pbuh) 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 (Pbuh) 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 (Pbuh), 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. with permission from:
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