Medicine from prophetic, scientific perspective: Spotlight on dates
Botanical name: Phoenix dactylifera Arabic names: Tal, Balah (dates), Tamr (dried dates), Busr (green dates) Origin and cultivation Dates comes from the Greek word “Dactylos” which means “finger”due to the similarity in shape.The date palm can live upto 200 years, original to Mesopotomia. Cultivated by Arabs in Middle East and Mediterranea, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, […]
Botanical name: Phoenix dactylifera
Arabic names: Tal, Balah (dates), Tamr (dried dates), Busr (green dates)
Origin and cultivation
Dates comes from the Greek word “Dactylos” which means “finger”due to the similarity in shape.The date palm can live upto 200 years, original to Mesopotomia. Cultivated by Arabs in Middle East and Mediterranea, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, China and USA. Mesopotonian region between Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Now widely cultivated even in Nigeria in states like Jigawa.
Dates are classified into soft, semidry or dry. Most soft varieties contain cane sugar. The date palm flour which is made from the pith of the tree. It is the richest food in glucose.
Composition:
55% glucose
45% fructose
1.97% Proteins
0.45% fats
Vitamins (B2, B12, A)
22.5% water
7.50% fibre (soluble fibres in form of pectin, gums and some insolubles or cellose.
1.58% Minerals (calcium, phosphate, potassium, sulphur, sodium,magnesium, cobalt, zinc, fluorine, copper, manganese).
Islamic/Prophetic angle
Dates are mentioned in Tawrat, Talmud and Quran. Jesus Christ (peace be upon him) used the branches of date as symbol of peace. Prophet Mohammed (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) confirmed its importance when he said “O Aishah, a house in which there is no dates, its people will go hungry” – (Saheel Muslin)
Date has high value in Islam as it attracts many blessings from Allah. With it He causes to grow for you, the crops, the olives, the DATE – PALMS, the grapes and every kind of fruit. Verily, in this is indeed an evident proof and manifest sign for a people who give thought (Surah Al-Nah 16-11)
The Prophet (SAW) said “when one of you breaks the fast, let him do so with dates for they are blessings and if cannot find date, then with water, for it is a purification. (Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi)
“And the shake the trunk of date palm towards you, it will let fall first ripe dates upon you. So eat and drink and be glad” (Surah Maryam 19:25-26).
Hadith showed that prophet used to break his fast with fresh dates, if not available, dried ones and if none few sips of water (Narrated by Ahmed, Al-Tirmidhi). And tall date palms, with ranged cluster. (Surah Qaf 50:10)
The Prophet said; the one who eats seven ajwah dates every morning will not be harmed that day by poison or witchcraft.
“And green crops and date palms with soft spadix (Al-Shur’aa 26: 148)
The prophet told his followers “Tell me of a tree that is like the Muslim, its leaves do not fall and it produces fruits at all times, it is the date palm.” The Prophet (SAW) The best of your dates is Al-Burni, as it takes away sickness and has no sickness in it (Al-Ruwayan)
Al-Baqusi said the blossom of the date palm stimulates sexual intercourse.
According to one Hadith, Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “Honour your aunt, the date palm for it has been created from the same earth which Adam (Peace be upon him) was created.”
The Prophet (May Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, “Your women folks should eat dates for whosoever makes dates their food will produce children with ease.”
Fresh dates were the food of Maryamu – Mary (peace be upon her). Quran 19:25.
The companions of the prophet used to soak some dates for the prophet and he would drink the juice the next day.
Al-tirmidhi has related that the Ajwat is from the garden and there is an antidote against poisons in it. Ayesha said, the prophet date is an excellent remedy (Al-muslim)
(Concluded next week)