Muslims generally break their fast by eating dates. Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, 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 , sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, used to break his fast by eating some dates before offering Maghrib (sunset)
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, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam.
Dates are also rich in natural
fibers. 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 the equivalent of a balanced and healthy diet. Arabs
usually combine dates with milk and yogurt or bread, butter and fish.
This combination indeed makes a balanced and nutritious diet for both
mind and body. Dates and date palms have been mentioned in the Holy
Quran nearly 20 times, thus showing their importance. The Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, likened a good Muslim to the date palm, saying: "Among trees, there is a tree like a Muslim. Its leaves do not fall."
Maryam (Mary), the mother of Jesus,
may Allaah exalt his mention, was advised to eat dates as her food when
she felt labor pains, during her confinement. Dates are definitely the
"crown of sweets," and an ideal food which is easy to digest, and within
half an hour of taking it, the tired body regains vigor. 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. Breaking the fast with dates helps
one avoid over-eating later.
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 , sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, 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 dietitians now recommend dates to be given to children suffering
from nervous disorders or hyperactivity. The Prophet , sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam,
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.
'Aa'ishah, may Allaah be pleased
with her, 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 help her gain
weight. She said, "They [her family members] tried to fatten me by
giving me everything. But I did not become fat. Then they fattened me
with cucumber and ripe dates and I gained weight!" 'Aa'ishah, may
Allaah be pleased with her, was correct on this account as we now know
that one hundred gram 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. They are 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, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam,
used to eat dates by combining them with bread sometimes. At other
times he mixed ripe dates with cucumber, or dates combined with ghee (clarified butter). He used to take all varieties of dates, but he preferred the variety called 'Ajwah (a particular variety of date found exclusively in Madeenah).
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