Ramadan Blog | Ramadan Mubarak | Ramadan Kareem: Dates | Beneficial Things to Eat During Ramadan

Traditionally, Muslims break their fast with dates. This practice began with the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). He would break his fast with dates. There are many hadiths in which Prophet Muhammad (SAW) encourages Muslims to eat dates.

No Ramadan iftar is complete in a Muslim household without dates. Sales of dates increase during Ramadan with Muslims buying dates for their families.

The following article provides a few facts on the benefits of eating dates.

The Quran refers to dates in a few places:

When the mother of Prophet Jesus was giving birth to him and she was experiencing pain, she was told to: "Shake the trunk of the palm towards you and fresh, ripe dates will drop down onto you."

The Hadiths also refer to dates:

Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said: the prophet (PBUH) said: “Indeed in dates there is a cure”. Reported by Muslim (14/3) and Ahmad (6/152)

The Prophet (PBUH) said: “ Whoever finds dates should break his fast with them and the one who does not should break his fast with water because it is pure”

It was reported by Abu Naaim, Abu Daoud, Al Hakem, Al Imam Al Tirmithi and mentioned in The book of Al Imam Al Thahabi “The Prophetic Medicine” that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “ The one who eats 7 dates in the morning will be protected that day from poison and envy”

The Prophet (PBUH) said: “Break your fast by eating dates as it is purifying.” (Narrated by Ahmad)

The health benefits of dates are multiple. The following are excerpts on the health benefits of dates.

Pregnant Women

It has been shown that (scientific studies) have shown that eating dates are beneficial for pregnant women and nursing mothers. Dates contain certain stimulants which assist in the strengthening of the muscles of the womb which can lead to an easier delivery. The sugar content of dates is about 80% making it an ideal high energy food for nursing mothers. Dates contain seven vitamins and eleven minerals whose importance as a dietary supplement was appreciated by the desert people who, for thousands of years, ate dates with goat or camel milk as a complete sustenance.

Dates to Treat Diseases like Cancer

Dates are reported to be useful in the treatment of respiratory disorders, heart conditions, cancer (due to its high magnesium and calcium content), anemia, allergies, and constipation. Bedouin Arabs, who eat them on a regular basis, show an extremely low incidence rate of cancer and heart disease.

Dates to Improve Digestion

Dates are also valuable as medicine for their tonic effect. Being easily digested, they are very useful for supplying energy and repairing waste. Milk in which clean and fresh dates have been boiled is a very nourishing and restorative drink to children and adults alike, especially during convalescence. The nicotinic content in dates is an excellent remedy for intestinal disturbances. Liberal use of dates keeps in check the growth of pathological organisms and helps to establish a colony of friendly bacteria in the intestines.

Dates to Treat Constipation

The date is a laxative food. It is highly beneficial in the treatment of constipation as the roughage provided by it stimulates sluggish bowels. They should be immersed in water at night and taken after making them into a fine syrup the next morning to secure laxative effect.

Dates to Treat Weak Heart

Besides, dates are an effective remedy for weak heart. Dates soaked overnight in water and crushed in the same water in the morning after removing the seeds should be taken at least twice a week in this condition. It will strengthen the heart.

Dates to Prevent Sterility

Sexual weakness can also benefits from dates. A handful of dates soaked in fresh goat's milk overnight should be ground in the same milk in the morning. A pinch of cardamom powder and honey should be mixed in this preparation. This becomes a very useful tonic for improving sex stamina and sterility due to functional disorders.