The Benefits Of Eating Dates, Not Going On Them.

Salam,

Don’t confuse the topic with going on a date with the opposite gender. This one brother had a joke, he said ” you know it’s Ramadan when brothers and sisters are giving each other dates”, haha. Interesting, anyways  I want to just tell you real quick some of the benefits of Eating Dates. Which include not only rewards because it is a sunnah, but because their are health benefits.

I never was never aware of the multiple benefits until I read about them, much of which comes from the Sunnah and a bit from the Holy Quran and of course Nutritional research.

I don’t live in a desert climate, but when it’s time to break your fast at sunset, the Date fruit gives a rush of energy. Unlike the Pizza Hut Pan Pizza that has a waterfall amount of oil which I often break my fast with at work. Yea it tastes delightful, it’s definitely America’s number one Pizza in my opinion, but I was checking out the Amount of calories it contains and it’s about 620. That’s mad crazy. I guess that’s part of what Ramadan is about, giving up your instant gratification grabbing habits.

So let’s give some Hadith from our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) first in case your wondering why Almost all Muslim’s break their fast with it. Thanks to the Age of Jahiliyah Blog, I was able to get alot of important information.

1. The Prophet (PBUH) said: “Break your fast by eating dates as it is purifying.” (Narrated by Ahmad)
2. 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”

From the Quran: (below are two, I believe there are much more speaking about date trees)

One Real Quick look from the Quran, in Surah Maryam (19), verse number 23 ..

1. In the Qur’an when Maryam(as) the mother of Prophet Jesus(as) 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.”
2.  

   And in the earth are tracts (diverse though) neighboring, and gardens of vines and fields sown with corn, and palm trees – growing out of single roots or otherwise: watered with the same water, yet some of them We make more excellent than others to eat. Behold, verily in these things there are signs for those who understand! (Qur’an, 13:4)

Now for the Nutrtional and Health Benefits: ( I was able to find a bunch from running a search in Google, just type in “benefits of eating dates”

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Modern dietary institutes now recommend dates to be given to children suffering from a nervous nature or hyperactivity.
4. Modern medicine has shown that they are effective in preventing abdominal cancer
5. Dates are rich in natural fibers, they also surpass other fruits in the sheer variety of their constituents. They contain oil, calcium, sulphur, iron, potassium, phosphorous, manganese, copper and magnesium.

Mashallah, look at that, that’s official and the list goes on. So want a date? I’m sure you do after reading all this, nourish your body and soul. Go to the Whole Foods Market and grab some, or go to Atlantic Ave in Brooklyn. The finest date fruits, fresh and straight from Saudi =P.

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