Ramadan Special On a tasty date with Dabino
Mallam Sabiu Danmasani sells dates on his wheelbarrow at Wuse Market in the FCT. He told Weekend Magazine that the fruits are mostly imported into the country from some Arabian countries like Oman, Saudi Arabia and countries close to them. He said he buys a whole sack of the dates from a dealer and sells […]
Mallam Sabiu Danmasani sells dates on his wheelbarrow at Wuse Market in the FCT. He told Weekend Magazine that the fruits are mostly imported into the country from some Arabian countries like Oman, Saudi Arabia and countries close to them. He said he buys a whole sack of the dates from a dealer and sells them in bits. “I make over N10,000 profit from a bag of Dabino,” he said.
Danmasani also said that he resumes every morning with his wheelbarrow filled with the dates, but sells almost all before evenings when he will pack up for the day because most people stop by to buy because of its relevance during Ramadan.
According to Imran B. Bala, a buyer, he was buying the dates so he could use it, as usual, to break his fast at sunset. Bala explained how the fruit was first used by the Holy prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) to break his fast, adding that as a Muslim, he is only following the legacy which the holy prophet left behind for his followers. “The date is also very medicinal in the human body and it is good for consumption not only during Ramadan, but all seasons,” he said.
In line with the dietary requirements of the modern consumer, dates are a good fiber provider and also help digestion. In addition to these, they contain seven vitamins, eleven minerals and other supplements.
An Islamic scholar, Malam Muhammadu Bashir, who is also the Imam of a mosque in the Gwarinpa area of the FCT, explained the historical facts behind the fruits to Weekend Magazine, saying Saudi Arabia is the homeland of the date palm tree, with more than 10,000 years of age. “Many nations transferred the palm trees from Saudi Arabia to other parts of the world after they became amused by its charming beauty and its endless generosity,” he explained.
Malam Bashir explained that in a religion such as Islam, dates have received more attention than any other fruits, adding that Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) encouraged Muslims to break their fast at the sunset during the month of Ramadan by using them. “He once said that if a person has dates in his house, then he is not poor.” Speaking further about Dabino, Mallam Bashir also said the dates are among the things that should not be rejected when offered.
Dates can also be used for preparing a meal as they are been chopped in bits and used in a range of sweets, cakes, ice cream and other desserts. Recent innovations include chocolate-covered dates, date juice mixed with milk and other mouth-watering confections. However, the tasy, useful fruit’s value does not end there, as leaves from the palm tree are used in making thatch for roofs, mats, baskets, brooms, hats and even local hand fans. Now that’s a fruit everyone should have a date with, pun intended!