Dates: Nutrition, Benefits, and Uses

_Dates: Nutrition, Benefits, and Uses 

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Names

1. Latin name is Phoenix dactylifera Linn.

2. Urdu & Hindi name is khajur.

3. English name is dates.

Quranic names

1. It is called with various names is Quran.

2. It is called as Nakhl or Nakhil (plural) or Nakhlat (singular), 20 times in Quran.

3. It is called Leenat in Chapter 59 (Sura) Hashr verse no. 5.

4. It is mentioned as Naqir in Chapter 4 (Sura) Nisa, verse no. 53 & 124.

5. Qitmir in Chapter 35 (Sura) Fatir, verse no. 13.

6. Rutab in Chapter 19 (Sura) Maryam verse no. 25.

In Hadees it is mentioned under 8 names: -

The names mentioned in Hadees are different stages & different varieties of dates, among 8 names, 5 are stages of dates & 3 are types of dates.

1. Balah: It is the first stage of dates; the dates are unripen (raw).

2. Bushra: It is the second stage; dates are unripen fresh dates of yellow or red colour & are eatable.

3. Busr: It is the third stage of dates; now the Bushra (yellow or reddish unripen dates) start getting ripen. They are eatable. (Half ripen).

4. Rutab: Freshly ripen dates; mainly ripen on its tree. These are what we eat mostly, it is of brownish colour & soft & wet. (Fully ripen).

5. Tamar: It the fifth stage of dates; now Rutab (fresh ripen dates) gets dried up (mainly on tree).

(Also Dates are generally called as Tamar please note).

The 3 names mentioned in Hadees are types of dates: -

1. Barni. 2. Ajwah. 3. Sukhara.

Other names in Hadees: -

Bunches of dates are called as Dawaal (دوال) in Hadees. Dates syrup is called as Nabiz in Hadees. GABA of dates is called as Jimaar (جمار) in Hadees. Low quality dates are called as Hashaf (حشف) in Hadees. Tamar is mentioned in Hadees as general word for dates. It is important to know about the stages & names mentioned in Hadees.

There are 20 references of it in Quran, by the names of Nakhl or Nakhil (plural) & Nakhlat (singular). They are 8 times mentioned alone & 12 times mentioned with other fruits like pomegranate, grapes & olives.

1. Chapter 2 Baqara verse no. 266. (Nakhil).

2. Chapter 6 An'am verse no. 99. (Nakhl).

3. Chapter 6 An'am verse no. 141. (Nakhl).

4. Chapter 13 Ra'ad verse no. 4. (Nakhil).

5. Chapter 16 Nahl verse no. 11. (Nakhil).

6. Chapter 16 Nahl verse no. 67. (Nakhil).

7. Chapter 17 Bani-Israel verse no. 91. (Nakhil).

8. Chapter 18 Khaf verse no. 32. (Nakhl).

9. Chapter 19 Mariam verse no. 23. (Nakhlat).

10. Chapter 19 Mariam verse no. 25. (Nakhlat & Rutab).

11. Chapter 20 Ta'ah verse no. 71. (Nakhl).

12. Chapter 23 Mu-minoon verse no. 19. (Nakhil).

13. Chapter 26 Shu-araa verse no. 148. (Nakhl).

14. Chapter 36 Yaaseen verse no. 34. (Nakhil).

15. Chapter 50 Qaaf verse no. 10. (Nakhl).

16. Chapter 54 Qamar verse no. 20. (Nakhl).

17. Chapter 55 Rahmaan verse no. 11. (Nakhl).

18. Chapter 55 Rahmaan verse no. 68. (Nakhl).

19. Chapter 69 Haqqa verse no. 7. (Nakhl).

20. Chapter 80 Abas verse no. 29. (Nakhl).

Quranic references of it: -

Other references of dates in Quran: -

1. It is referred as LEENAT in Chapter 59 (Sura) HASHR verse no. 5.

2. In Chapter 4 (Sura) NISA verse no. 53 & 124 it is called as NAQIR. (Naqir means a groove or dent on date seed).

3. In Chapter 35 (Sura) FATIR, verse no. 13, it is called as QITMIR. (Qitmir means a groove or dent on dates seed or thin membrane on date seed).

4. In Chapter 6 (Sura) AN’AAM verse no. 95, it is called as NAVA. (Nava means date seed).

5. In Chapter 36 (Sura) YASEEN verse no. 39 it is called AL-URJOON. (Al-Urjoon means the lower base of dates which becomes dry & get sickled shaped & it is compared with new moon in verse no. 39 of Chapter 36 (Sura) YASEEN.

6. In Chapter 111 (Sura) LAHAB & Chapter 54 (Sura) QAMAR it is called as HABL & DUSUR (Both means Palm Fibers).

It is important to know about the stages of date’s maturation, because by it only, you will understand the uses of it & why it is called by different names in Quran & Hadees.

Stages of dates (According to Growth): -

It takes 6 months to get matured & undergo 5 stages (Means dates under goes, 5 stages, on tree or when stored (before use).

1. 1st stage of dates is called as Al-HabaBook or Al-saddi. In this stage the dates are like small balls & are of bitter taste (on tree & are not used).

2. 2nd stage is called as Al -Balh. In this stage the dates are grown little bigger & are of green colour & pungent it taste. (On tree & are not used).

3. 3rd stage is called as AL -Busr or Al- Khalla, in this stage the dates get yellowish or reddish colour & turn sweet in taste. (On tree & can be used).

4. 4th stage is called as Al -Rutab, now the dates becomes soft, sweet & get brownish in colour, this stage is ripen stage & are good to use & was liked by Prophet , & it is mentioned in Quran.

5. 5th stage is called as Ajwah. Now the dates get softer, sticky & turn dark brownish. (Also please note Ajwah is also a type of dates & stage of dates also).

6. 6th stage is called as Tamar, now the dates get dried.

Prophet ﷺ’s guidance about dates: -

Neutralizing hot potency with cold potency

Fresh ripen dates & Watermelon (Rutab & Bathikh): -

1. Hazrat Sahl Bin Saad  ؓ says, that Nabi ﷺ use to eat fresh ripen dates (الرطب) with watermelon (البطيخ) .

[Ibn Ma-jah: 3451; Book. 29; English vol. 4; Book. 29, Hadees. 3326]

Also mentioned by Hazrat A’isha رضي الله عنها .

[Tirmizi: 1843: Book. 25; English vol. 3; Book. 23, Hadees. 1843]

2. Narrated by Hazrat A’isha رضي الله عنها that Nabi ﷺ used to eat fresh ripen dates (الرطب) with watermelon (البطيخ) & Nabi ﷺ said the heat of the one is broken by the coolness of the other & the coolness of the one by the heat of the other.

[Abu Dawud: 3836; Book. 28; English Book. 27; Hadees. 3827]

Eating dates with watermelon in combination both get neutralized.

Dried ripen dates & Butter (Tamar & Zubd): -

3. Narrated by 2 sons of Busar that Nabi ﷺ visited Hazrat Busar’s home, they presented dried ripen dates (تمر) & Butter (زبد) in honor of Nabi ﷺ because both were liked (together) by Nabi ﷺ.

[Ibn Ma-jah: 3459; Book. 29; In English vol. 4; Book. 29, Hadees. 3334]

(Tamar dates are dry & hard & they get moist & soft when mixed with butter or ghee thus get neutralized).

Fresh ripen dates & cucumber (Rutab & Qissa’a): -

4. Hazrat Abdullah Bin Jafar  ؓ says that Rasoolullah ﷺ use to eat cucumber القثاء with fresh ripen dates (الرطب) .

[Tirmizi: 1844; Book. 25; English vol. 3; Book. 23, Hadees. 1844]

(Combination of both neutralizes each other).

5. Hazrat A’isha رضي الله عنها ate cucumber (القثاء) & fresh ripen dates (الرطب)

together to gain weight & she successfully gained.

[Ibn Ma-jah: 3449; Book. 29; English vol. 4; Book. 29, Hadees. 3324]

About uses of two types of dates together: -

6. Narrated by Jabir Bin Abdullah  ؓ that Nabi ﷺ prohibited making Nabiz from Basr (البسر) (unripen dates) & Tamar (تمر ) dates together.

[Tirmizi: 1876; Book. 26; English vol. 3; Book. 24, Hadees. 1876.]

(Nabiz is prepared by soaking dates in water & drink the same, means we should not soak two different types of dates in water & nor drink that sharbat, Nabiz).

7. Hazrat A’isha رضي الله عنها narrated that Rasoolullah ﷺ said, eat Balah (البلح) (fresh unripen dates) with Tamar ( تمر ) (dried ripen dates) together(or) old dates with new one & Rasoolullah ﷺ said, that seeing this shaitaan )الشيطان( gets irritated & the shaitaan (الشيطان) says that human became healthy by eating Balah (البلح) with Tamar (تمر ).

[Ibn Ma-jah: 3455; Book. 29; English vol. 4; Book. 29, Hadees. 3330]

8. Narrated by Jabir Bin Abdullah  ؓ that Busr (البسر) (semi ripen) dates with Rutab (الرطب) (fresh ripen dates) are Khamr (intoxicant).

[An-Nasa’I: 5544; Book. 51; English vol. 6; Book. 51; Hadees. 5546]

(Both should not be used together).

(Busr dates (semi ripen) are which start to get ripe, & are yellow or reddish coloured & Rutab dates are which get freshly ripen, (routinely eaten) soft, dark brownish coloured). Please note we can eat Balah (البلح) (fresh unripen dates) with Tamar (تمر ) (dried ripen dates) together but we are not allowed to soak both above types of dates to prepare Nabiz (syrup) because they may turn into Alcoholic preparation & please do not soak two types of dates together.

About Rutab Dates: -

9. Hazrat Sahal Bin Saad  ؓ says that Nabi ﷺ use to eat Rutab (الرطب)

(fresh ripen dates) with watermelon (البطيخ) .

[Ibn Ma-jah: 3451; Book. 29; English vol. 4; Book. 29, Hadees. 3326]

10. Hazrat Abdullah Bin Jafar  ؓ says that Rasoolullah ﷺ use to eat cucumber (القثاء) with fresh ripen dates (الرطب) .

[Tirmizi: 1844; Book. 25; English vol. 3; Book. 23, Hadees. 1844]

11. Hazrat A’isha رضي الله عنها ate cucumber (القثاء) & fresh ripen dates (الرطب)

together to gain weight & she successfully gained weight.

[Ibn Ma-jah: 3449; Book. 29; English vol. 4; Book. 29, Hadees. 3324]

About Tamar Dates: -

The word Tamar may be used for a type of date (dried ripen dates) or commonly for routine dates.

12. Narrated by Hazrat A’isha رضي الله عنها that Nabi ﷺ used to eat fresh ripen dates (الرطب) with watermelon (البطيخ) & Nabi ﷺ said the heat of the one is broken by the coolness of the other & the coolness of the one by the heat of the other.

[Abu Dawud: 3836; Book. 28; English Book. 27; Hadees. 3827]

(This is regarding the above Hadees about eating dates with watermelon; by their combination both get neutralized).

13. Narrated by 2 sons of Busar that Nabi ﷺ visited Hazrat Busar’s home, they presented Tamar (تمر) (dried ripen dates) & Zubd (زبد) (butter) in honor of Nabi ﷺ because both were liked (together) by Nabi ﷺ.

[Ibn Ma-jah: 3459; Book. 29; English vol. 4; Book. 29, Hadees. 3334.]

(Tamar dates are dry & hard & they get moist & soft when mixed with butter or ghee thus get neutralized).

14. Hazrat Aamir Bin Saad Abu Waqqas  heard from his father that Nabi ﷺ said that anyone who eats 7 Tamar (تمر ) (dates) daily, whichgrow between these two lava plains (two Madinah ) (المدينه)mountains) empty stomach, early morning, than till evening, will not be affected with poisoning (سم) & black magic (سحر) (witch craft) & if eats at evening, will be safe from poison & black magic (witch craft) till morning.

[Muslim: 2047 A; Book. 36; English Book. 23; Hadees no. 5080]

15. Hazrat Abu Hurairah  ؓ says that Nabi ﷺ said by eating Tamar (تمر ) (dates), Qalounj (القولنج) will not occur.

[Abu Nu-aim: 828. Qalounj]

Qalounj is a condition in which we may suffer from inferior complex due to strictures, obstructions, spasm or pain

16. Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما says that Rasoolullah ﷺ guided that eat Tamar (تمر ) (dates) on empty stomach early morning, by this worm of stomach get killed.

[Musnad Firdous: 4813]

Jaw chapatti (bread) & Tamar dates: -

17. Hazrat Yusuf Ibn Abdullah Ibn Salam  ؓ says that he saw Nabi ﷺ eating (jaw) barley flour chapatti (or Bread) (خبز) with Tamar (تمر )

(dates) & said that dates (تمر ) are equivalent to gravy with (jaw) barley chapatti (or Bread).

[Abu Dawud: 3830; Book. 28; English Book. 27; Hadees. 3821]

Discipline while eating in company of people: -

18. Hazrat Abdullah Bin Umar رضي الله عنهما reported that Nabi ﷺ said, do not pick more than one dates at the time, nor pick 2 or more to eat, without permission, (when we are eating in company of people).

[Tirmizi: 1814, Book. 25; English vol. 3; Book. 23; Hadees. 1814]

(We should not pick any eatables more than one, while we eat in company of people; this may be in regards of all types of eatables).

19. Hazrat Anas Bin Malik  ؓ says that he saw Nabi ﷺ eating Tamar (تمر )

(dates) in sitting position on heels.

[Muslim: 2044 a; Book no. 36; English Book. 23; Hadees no. 5073]

Hasis (Hais) (a sweet dish): -

20. Narrated by Hazrat Anas Bin Malik  ؓ that Nabi ﷺ married Hazrat Safiya رضي الله عنها & called people for a feast (as dawat e valima) & served people with Hais, (Hasis) on a piece of leather (dastarkhwaan).

[Bukhari: 5387; Book. 70; English vol. 7; Book. 65; Hadees. 299]

Hais (Hasis) is a sweet dish (halwa) prepared from Tamar (تمر ) dates, milk, jaw (barley), ghee, paneer etc.

Importance of having dates in house: -

21. Hazrat A’isha رضي الله عنها says that Nabi ﷺ said that a family which has dates (تمر ) will not be hungry.

[Muslim: 2046; Book. 36; English Book. 23; Hadees. 5078]

22. Narrated by Hazrat A’isha رضي الله عنها that Rasoolullah ﷺ said the house which do not have dates )تمر( those people are (will be) hungry.

[Tirmizi: 1815, Book. 25; English vol. 3; Book. 23, Hadees. 1815]

23. Narrated by Ubaidullah Bin Abu Rafi from his grandmother Salma رضي

الله عنها says that Nabi ﷺ said that the house which does not have dates (تمر ) the house is as, there is no food.

[Ibn Ma-jah: 3453; Book. 29; English vol. 4; Book. 29, Hadees. 3328]

Dates & Dinner: -

24. Narrated by Anas Bin Malik  ؓ that Nabi ﷺ said that, Always eat dinner & if you have nothing to eat, at least eat few Hashaf (حشف) (low quality dates) (or handful of something to eat) because skipping dinner will make you old & weak.

[Tirmizi: 1856; Book. 25; English vol. 3; Book. 23, Hadees. 1856]

25. Narrated by Jabir Bin Abdullah  ؓ that, Nabi ﷺ said never skip dinner, though you only have few dates (تمر ), eat them because skipping dinner will make you old.

[Ibn Ma-jah: 3480; Book. 29; English vol. 4; Book. 29, Hadees. 3355]

Old dates: -

26. Narrated by Anas Bin Malik  ؓ that somebody presented some old dates to Nabi ﷺ & Nabi ﷺ started opening the dates (تمر ) to see (the worm).

[Ibn Ma-jah: 3458; Book. 29; English vol. 4; Book. 29, Hadees. 3333]

Half ripen dates (Busr): -

27. Hazrat Abu A’seeb  ؓ says, that one night Nabi ﷺ took Hazrat Abu Aaib, Abu Bakr, Umar  ؓ to an Ansari’s dates garden & asked the owner of the garden to give Busr (بسر) (half ripen dates), the owner went & brought branches of dates & all ate to their satisfaction.

[Musnad Ahmed: 20787]

About Ajwah Dates: -

28. Hazrat Ra'fe Bin Umar Al Majni  ؓ says that, Rasoolullah ﷺ said that Ajwah (العجوة ) & Sukhara (الصخرة) both are from Jannah (الجنة) .

[Ibn Ma-jah: 3583; Book. 31; In English vol. 4; Book. 31, Hadees. 3456]

29. Hazrat A'isha رضي الله عنها says that, Rasoolullah ﷺ guided that the Ajwah dates of 'Aliya' contain healing effects & these are antidote (for poisoning) if eaten early morning.

[Muslim: 2048; Book. 36; English Book. 23; Hadees. 5083]

30. Hazrat Saad  ؓ says that Rasoolullah ﷺ guided that eat 7 Ajwah (عجوة)

(dates) early morning empty stomach, that day, the person will be safe from poisoning (سم) & black Magic (سحر) (witch craft).

[Bukhari: 5769; Book. 76; English vol. 7; Book. 71; Hadees. 664]

31. Hazrat A'isha رضي الله عنها says that Nabi ﷺ guided to use 7 Ajwah (عجوة)

(dates) of Madinah (المدينه) for 7 days; this helps in curing Juzam (الجزام).

[Abu Nu-aim: 899]

(Juzam is kodh) (Leprosy or a severe skin disease)

32. Hazrat Sa’ad Bin Abi Waqqas  ؓ says that he fell ill, he had chest pain, Rasoolullah ﷺ visited him & kept His respected Palm on Hazrat Sa’ad  chest, Hazrat Sa'ad  ؓ felt the soothing effect in his whole chest & Rasoolullah ﷺ prayed for him, & said that Sa'ad is suffering from cardiac problem. & Rasoolullah ﷺ advised to take Hazrat Sa'ad  ؓ to Haris Bin Kuladah (a hakim) & said the physician should give 7 Ajwah (   عجوة ) (dates) of Madinah (المدينه) crushed & with its seed grinded & put it in your mouth.

[Abu Dawud: 3875; Book. 29; English Book. 28; Hadees. 3866]

Cure for Poisoning: -

33. Narrated by Hazrat Abu Hurairah  ؓ that Nabi ﷺ said that Ajwah (   عجوة )

(dates) are from Jannah (الجنة ) & in it there is cure (شفاء) for poisoning

(سم) & Kamaat (الكماة) (Mushrooms or Truffles) are among Mann (المن)

(a reward) & its water is cure (شفاء) for eye (العي) diseases.

[Tirmizi: 2208; Book. 28; English vol. 4; Book. 2; Hadees. 2066]

(Mushroom or Truffles grow by their own & no human efforts are required so they are called as Mann) (Refer lesson no. 49; mushroom & truffles in part 1 of this book)

Jimaar (Gaba of dates) & Palm Date tree compared with Muslims: -

34. Hazrat Abdullah Bin Umar رضي الله عنهما says that we were sitting with Nabi ﷺ, Jimaar (جمار) (Gaba of dates) was sent by someone, than Nabi ﷺ asked “Among all trees, which tree is like Muslim & Allah Ta’ala has given Barkat in it?” (As Barkat Muslims have) than Nabi ﷺ answered (Himself) that it is Nakhl (النخلة) (palm date tree).

[Bukhari: 5444; Book. 70; In English vol. 7; Book. 65; Hadees. 355]

(Jimaar is GABA of dates; it is obtained from gum of dates trees).

35. Hazrat Umme Munzir رضي الله عنها says that, Rasoolullah ﷺ & Hazrat Ali  ؓ both came home, she had Dawaal (دوال) (bunches of dates), she served Dawaal to both, both started to eat the dates, but when Hazrat Ali  ؓ had eaten 7 dates (approximately) he was stopped by Rasoolullah ﷺ from eating more, & He  ؓ said to Hazrat Ali  that you were ill last days & now you are weak, so do not eat more, Hearing to his Hazrat Umme Munzir رضي الله عنها prepared Sareed (ثريد ) (thin gravy) of meat, beet root & chapatti (خبز) from barely flour (الشعير ) & served to both, on this Rasoolullah ﷺ said to Hazrat Ali  ؓ eat this dish, this is beneficial for you.

[Tirmizi: 2170; Book. 28; English vol. 4; Book. 2; Hadees. 2036]

36. Hazrat Suhaib  ؓ reports that his right eye was paining & he was eating Tamar (تمر ) (dates), looking to this; Rasoolullah ﷺ said that, you are eating Tamar (تمر ) (dates) in spite of eye pain, On this Hazrat Suhaib  ؓ replied that I am eating from left side & my right eye is paining.

[Baihaqi : 20047]

(He was eating from left side of the mouth while his right eye was suffering from infection).

Please read the Hadees below & note the rules from which side of the mouth we should eat during illness.

Qatadah narrated from Abu Abdullah that Zaid Bin Arqam  ؓ said that Nabi ﷺ would acclaim olive oil ( ال زَّيْتَّ ) & Memecylon ( وَّرْسَّْال ) (Warss) for (the treatment of) pleurisy." Qatadah said: "And it is put in the mouth on the side which he is suffering ".

[Tirmizi: 2222; Book. 28, English vol. 4; Book. 2, Hadees. 2078]

About Barni dates: -

37. Hazrat Anas Bin Malik  ؓ says that Nabi ﷺ said that among the Tamar (تمر ) (dates) you have, Barni (البرني) (it is a type of dates) are the best, there is cure for diseases in it & have no harmful effects.

[Mustadrak Al Hakim: 7450]

About breaking fast: -

38. Salman Bin Amr  ؓ narrated that Nabi ﷺ guided us to break the fast with Tamar (تمر ) (dates) & if dates are not present than break the fast with water because water is pure (paak).

[Ibn Ma-jah: 1769; Book. 7; English vol. 1; Book. 7; Hadees. 1699]

39. Hazrat Anas Bin Malik  ؓ says that Rasoolullah ﷺ use to break the fast before Magrib Salah with fresh ripen dates (الرطب) or old dates which ever would be present, if dates would not be present, than broke the fast with water.

[Abu Dawud: 2356; Book. 14; English Book. 13; Hadees. 2349]

About Tahneek: -

40. Hazrat Asma Bint Abu Bakr رضي الله عنها gave birth to a son (in Quba), this birth was the first birth in Muslim society, Means, that time the Yahudis of Madinah had challenged the Muslims, that due to their Black magic no Muslim lady will give birth to any child, On the birth of her son (Abdullah Bin Zubair رضي الله عنهما ) all Muslims gathered & sang slogans of Takbir loudly. Hazrat Asma Bint Abu Bakr رضي الله عنها

took the infant to Rasoolullah ﷺ, Rasoolullah ﷺ took the infant in His respected Laps & called for Tamar (تمر ) (date) & chewed the date & put His respected saliva in the mouth of the child so that the first thing entered the child stomach was saliva of Nabi ﷺ; He than pat the chewed date into the infant’s mouth & rubbed it on the upper palate of the infant & prayed for Barkat.

[Bukhari: 5469; Book. 71; English vol. 7, Book. 66; Hadees. 378]

Some parts of Hadees are taken from other Hadees. The above act of dates to be spatted & rubbed on infant’s upper palate is called as TAHNEEK.

It is to take a date or something sweet in our mouth & chew it a little, than put the date or the sweet thing into newborn's mouth & rub the date at upper palate of newborn's mouth for a while. Nabi ﷺ use to do it, this is a Sunnah, which we should do it. Now a days, newborn suffer from juvilian diabetes & lack of glucose, which causes brain damage of newborn, by this Sunnah we can solve many problems of newborn.

Dried Grapes & Tamar dates together prohibited: -

42. Hazrat Jabir Bin Abdullah رضي الله عنهما reported that Nabi ﷺ prohibited the mixing of dried grapes (Zabib) & dates & dry dates (Tamar) & fresh dates (Basr).

[Muslim: 1986 A; Book. 36; English Book. 23; Hadees. 4896]

43. Abdullah Bin Abu Qatadah, from his father Nabi ﷺ guided, do not combine fresh dates & unripe dates, or raisins & dates; rather make Nabiz (syrup) with each one of them on its own” (Separately).

[Ibn Ma-jah: 3523; Book. 30; English vol. 4; Book. 30, Hadees. 3397]

About Nabiz: -

According to many references & scholars, Nabi ﷺ liked Nabiz very much. Nabiz is syrup prepared by dates or raisins soaked overnight in water & this syrup (sharbat) should be drunk & this is called as Nabiz. But do not soak two types of dates together nor dates with raisins.

44. Hazrat Sahl Bin Sa’ad  ؓ narrates that Abu Usaid As-Sa’di  ؓ invited Rasoolullah ﷺ at his Valima feast (marriage party) & after meal Nabiz was given to Nabi ﷺ to drink.

[Bukhari: 5176; Book. 67; English vol. 7; Book. 62; Hadees.105]

45. Narrated by Jabir Bin Abdullah  ؓ that Nabi ﷺ prohibited making Nabiz from Busr (البسر) (unripen dates) & Tamar dates together.

[Tirmizi: 1876; Book. 26; English vol. 3; Book. 24; Hadees. 1876]

(Nabiz is prepared by soaking dates in water & drink this Nabiz means we should not soak two different types of dates in water).

46. Narrated by Abu Saeed  ؓ that Nabi ﷺ prohibited mixing of unripen dates & dates together & mixing of Raisins (dried grapes) & dates for making Nabiz & prohibited the jars that Nabiz is made in.

[Tirmizi: 1877; Book. 26; English vol. 3 Book. 24, Hadees. 1877]

47. Nabi ﷺ prohibited to prepare Nabiz if the following:  Earthen pots,  Dubba (pumpkin),  trunk of palm dates tree,  coated pitch,  green pot

& said I forbid you to use the above, but they do not make anything lawful or unlawful, but every intoxicant is unlawful.

[Tirmizi: 1867, 1868, 1869; Book. 26; English vol. 3, Book. 24, Hadees. 1867, 1868, 1869]

(Means Nabiz gets toxic or alcoholic by the above means).

48. Narrated by A’isha رضي الله عنها that we use to prepare Nabiz for Nabi ﷺ in a water skin (water bag) which was tie at the top & it had a small hole in it, Nabiz prepared in morning was drank at evening & which was prepared at evening was drank at morning.

[Tirmizi: 1871; Book. 26; English vol.3; Book. 24, Hadees. 1871]

A Feast: -

49. Hazrat Anas  ؓ says that once my mother Umme Sulem رضي الله عنها asks me to give a basket of dates to Rasoolullah ﷺ, Hazrat Anas  ؓ went to Rasoolullah ﷺ’s home, but he came to know that Rasoolullah ﷺ has gone to a feast at his ex-slave to whom Nabi ﷺ had freed in past. (Actually Nabi ﷺ had freed this slave; the slave became a good tailor & earned good money for himself. Now he had invited Nabi ﷺ  for a feast along with some companions of Nabi ﷺ). When Hazrat Anas  ؓ reach the slave’s place, everybody was eating, Hazrat Anas  ؓ was asked to join the feast & he did. They were served with Sareed (ثريد )

made from pumpkin (kara’a), dried meat & jaw (barley) chapatti. Hazrat Anas  ؓ knew that pumpkin (kara’a) was favourite to Rasoolullah ﷺ & he use to collect pieces of pumpkin (kara’a) in front of Rasoolullah ﷺ.

Than after the feast, Hazrat Anas  ؓ & Rasoolullah ﷺ went to Rasoolullah ﷺ’s home & Hazrat Anas  ؓ gave the basket of dates. (Therespected) Rasoolullah ﷺ was eating the dates & distributing the dates among people, till the dates finished.

[Bukhari: 5379 & 5420; Book. 70; English vol. 7 Book. 65; Hadees. 291 & 331.

[Ibn Ma-jah: 3428; Book. 29; In English vol. 4; Book. 29, Hadees. 3303]

(& also from other reference all are mixed & written, please note).

QURAN reciting people: -

50. Hazrat Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari  says that Rasoolullah ﷺ said "A believer who recites Qur'an is like an orange whose fragrance is sweet & whose taste is sweet, a believer who does not recite Qur'an is like a date which has no fragrance but has a sweet taste & the hypocrite (munafiq & faajir) who recites Qur'an is like (Rayhan) basil whose fragrance is sweet, but whose taste is bitter & a hypocrite (munafiq & faajir) who does not recite Qur'an is like the colocynth which has no fragrance & has a bitter taste.

[Bukhari: 5427; Book. 70; English vol. 7 Book. 65; Hadees. 338]

(Colocynth is a bitter cucumber & also bitter apple).

Rutab dates for Menstrual Problems: -

51. Hazrat Abu Hurairah  ؓ says, that Nabi ﷺ said, that in my knowledge (الرطب) fresh ripen dates are best remedy for excessive menstrual flow & Honey )العسل( is best for patients (المريض) .

[Abu Nu-aim 459]

A preparation with fenugreek seeds (Hulba) (Methi) for sick person: -

52. Once Hazrat Saad Bin Abi Waqqas  ؓ fell ill in Makkah, Nabi ﷺ visited him & asked to call a doctor, Al Haris Bin Kuladah was called, he came & examined Hazrat Saad  ؓ & said he is not serious & advised to take dates (khajur), barley (jaw) & boiled fenugreek (seeds) (Methi) water & prepare soup like gravy (broth) (daliya) than put honey in it & give to Hazrat Saad  ؓ at early morning (luke warm). & Hazrat Saad  ؓ got well; Nabi ﷺ liked the preparation advised by Al Haris Bin Kuladah.

[At-tibb Al-Nabawi Harful Haa vol. 1; page no. 230]

53. Hazrat Sa'ad  ؓ says that he fell ill, he had chest pain, Rasoolullah ﷺ visited him & kept His Respected Palm on Hazrat Sa'ad  ؓ chest, Hazrat Sa'ad  ؓ felt the soothing effect in his whole chest & Rasoolullah ﷺ prayed for him, & said that Sa'ad is suffering from cardiac problem. & Rasoolullah ﷺ advised to take Hazrat Sa'ad  ؓ toHaris Bin Kuladah (a hakim) & Rasoolullah ﷺ said the physician should give 7 Ajwah dates (عجوة) of Madinah (المدينه) crushed & with its seed grinded & put it in the mouth.

[Abu Dawud: 3875; Book no. 29; English Book. 28; Hadees no. 3866]

Gaba of dates (Jimaar)(جمار) : -

It is called Jimaar & Shaham Annakhal in Arabic, & in Hadees it is called as Jimaar (جمار) , it is obtained from date tree, it is gum of palm date tree. It is used for the following: - Loose motion, chest pain, TB, throat infection, soar voice, cough & cold, it makes the intestine strong, strengthens the body, makes blood pure, reduces swelling of kidneys, maintains general health, removes weakness, can be applied on wounds, But first the gum should be purified & than used.

Content of dates: -

Glucose, sugar, vitamin A, vitamin B1, B2, B3, B12, calcium, phosphate, potassium, sulphur, sodium, magnesium, cobalt, zinc, fluorine, copper, manganese, cellulose, fructose, biotin, amino acids, fibers, carbohydrates, water, fats, iron, etc. Fresh dates have pitocin hormone which helps in delivery, it contracts the uterus.

Scientific benefits of dates: -

1. It helps in constipation.

2. Helpful in delivery (child birth) (Fresh dates).

3. Have great nutritive values.

4. Nourishes the brain.

5. Improves the peristalsis movement of intestine.

 6. It forms RBC, bone marrow, haemoglobin thus good in anaemia & etc.

7. Maintains pH level of blood.

8. Reduces weight, fats & slims the body.

9. Protects against cancers.

10. Increases urine output, libido.

11. Strengthens the bone, teeth, eye sight & ear nerves.

12. Reduces thyroid activity, so helpful in hyperthyroidism.

13. Helpful for liver function, dry lips, dry skin, cracked nails etc.

14. It improves the function of urinary bladder, stomach & intestines.

15. Best for pregnancy.

16. Helps in kidney stones, gall stones, gouts, blood pressure, piles etc.

17. Can be eaten all season all age.

18. Can be used in all diseases but in little quantity.

Science & Hadees regarding Dates: -

Prophet ﷺ said, "Whoever takes seven 'Ajwah dates in the morning will not be effected by magic or poison on that day." Nabi ﷺ has also said, "There is a tree among the trees which is similar to a Muslim (in goodness) & that is the date palm tree." As Muslims we are wise to include these foods in our diet. Allah has blessed us with many good foods & in Quran (Surah) A’araaf verse no. 160) it is said "Eat of the good foods We have provided for you."

Prophet ﷺ used to break the fast by eating some dates before offering Magrib (sunset) prayer & if ripe dates were not available, he used to substitute them with some dried dates. 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 & proteins, as well as important vitamins. Hence the great importance attached to them by the Prophet ﷺ.

Dates are also rich in natural fibers & natural vitamin & other necessary elements, thus prevent cholesterol & triglycerides from increasing & prevent cardiac diseases. 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 & magnesium. In other words, one date is the equivalent of a balanced & healthy diet. Arabs usually combine dates with milk & yogurt or bread, butter (A sweet dish called as Hais is Sunnah & beloved to Prophet ﷺ). This combination indeed makes a balanced & nutritious diet for both mind & body. Dates & date palms have been mentioned in the Holy

Quran nearly 20 times, thus showing their importance. Prophet ﷺ compared good Muslims with the date palm tree, saying: "Among trees, there is a tree like a Muslim. Its leaves do not fall."

Maryam (Mary) عليْا السلم , the mother of Isaa AS (Jesus) was advised to eat dates as her food when she felt labour pains, during her confinement. Dates are definitely the "crown of sweets," & an ideal food which is easy to digest & within half an hour of taking it, the tired body regains vigor. The reason for this is that lack of sugar in the blood & it is the main factor that makes people feel hungry. 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 lower part of uterus (lower segment) at the time of delivery & reduces the bleeding after delivery (PPH). Dieticians consider dates as the best food for women in confinement & those who are breast-feeding. This is because dates contain elements that assist in alleviating depression in mothers & enriching the breast-milk with all the elements needed to make the child healthy & resistant to disease. Prophet ﷺ has emphasized the importance of dates & their effectiveness. He has also recommended dates for excessive menstruation. Modern dietitians now recommend dates to be given to children suffering from nervous disorders or hyperactivity. Prophet ﷺ 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.

Science & Tahneek: -

It is to take a date or something sweet in our mouth & chew it a little, than put the date or the sweet thing into newborn's mouth & rub the date at upper palate of newborn's mouth for a while. Nabi ﷺ use to do it, this is a Sunnah, which we should do it. Now days, newborn suffer from juvilian diabetes & lack of glucose, which causes brain damage of newborn, by this Sunnah we can solve many problems of newborn.

Cucumber & dates together: -

Cucumber & dates: cucumber has a cold effect & dates have a hot one. By combining the two it becomes neutralized. From this Hadees we gather that it is recommended that the effect (hot or cold) of things eaten should be taken into consideration. Cucumber is insipid & tasteless & dates are sweet which results in the cucumber also tasting sweet. Both are opposite to each other & cucumbers are rich in water content.

Please match the nutritional facts of both cucumber & dates & see what a combination, both makes a perfect nutrition & are opposite to each other. This is the miracle of Sunnah of Prophet ﷺ eating both together.

Watermelon & Dates together: -

Match the nutrition of both & judge, both are opposite to each other & the combination make a perfect nutrition. This is miracle of Sunnah of Prophet ﷺ eating both together.

Conclusion of Hadees: -

1. Eat fresh ripen dates & watermelon or Mashmelon together because one cools the other. Eat the following together: butter & dried dates together, cucumber & dates, Balah (fresh unripen dates) & Tamar (dried dates).

2. Avoid making Nabiz (syrup) from two types of dates or dates & raisins, semi ripen dates & ripen dates together are Khamr (intoxicant). 7 Ajwah dates eaten early morning on empty stomach prevents black magic, evil eye, cardiac problems, skin disease & are from Jannah.

3. Dates if eaten early morning on empty stomach are helpful in worm infection, inferior complex. Keep dates always at home & it has Barkat in it, as Muslims have. Do not pick more than 1 dates at a time to eat, do not eat excessively during or after illness, 7 dates at one time are best. They are best nutrition, do Tahneek to newborn with dates.