(Pbuh) is reported tohave 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 ofa balanced and
healthy diet. Arabs usually combine dates withmilk 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) haddates 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
renewedvigour. The reason for this is thata 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 andreduces 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 thechild 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 givento 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 triedto 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 aloneare 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.
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