Dates (Part 2)

Another factor making dates the ideal food is their digestibility. Within half an hour of eating them, the tired body regains new vigour. The reason for this is that low blood sugar is the main cause of hunger, not an empty stomach as is often assumed. When the body absorbs the nutritional essence of a few dates the sensation of hunger is decreased. Many who break the fast with dates afterwards find themselves unable to eat much. It would seem that taking dates after fasting helps one avoid over eating.

Hazrate Aisha (R.A) used to prescribe dates for those suffering with giddiness. It is now well known that low blood sugar and low blood pressure are amongst the causes of giddiness. She was also reported to have used dates combined with cucumber to treat her over slim condition. She said "they fed me with every type of food to gain weight, yet I did not put any on. Then they added cucumber and fresh date to my diet and that did it."

As previously mentioned, dates are rich in several vitamins and minerals. When the level of trace elements in the body falls, the health of the blood vessels is affected, which leads to increased heart rate and a consequent inability of the heart to perform its functions with normal efficiency. As dates are rich in calcium, they contribute to healthy bones. For this reason it is recommended that children and older adults, especially women, eat plenty of dates to strengthen their bones.

Dates are also important in maintaining good vision and are effective in guarding against night-blindness. In the early years of Islam, dates were served as food for
Muslim soldiers. As the best stimulant of the muscles, they are the best food for one about to engage in battle.

Holy Prophet (S.A.W) would sometimes combine dates with bread. At other times He (S.A.W) mixed ripe dates with cucumbers or combined dates with ghee. He took all
varieties of dates, but preferred the variety called Ajwah.

Dates are variously classified as food, drink, fruits, sweets, nutrients, and medicine. Cured dates are called ajwah in Arabic. Hazrate Aisha (R.A) related the saying of Allah's Messenger (S.A.W), "Ajwah date is an excellent remedy."  (Reported by Bukhari and Muslim)

According to another narration, "Ajwah date is certainly an excellent and sufficient food." Dates are also among the fruits of Paradise, as noted in AHadith:

"Ajwah is from Paradise and contains an antidote against poison."  (Reported by at-Tirmidhi)