DATES As A Medicine : An Islamic Perspective

The Prophet Muhammad once said that "Allah did not create a disease for which He did not also create a cure." Therefore muslims are highly encouraged to explore and use traditional and modern forms of medicine, with faith that any cure is from Allah”.

One of the most recommended fruit as a natural medicine are dates. One can find countless reasons for its recommendation. It is a rich and instant source of energy making It useful for people experiencing low glucose level or low energy. It contains less fiber with an extremely high amount of glucose, this makes it an instant energy packet. The date contains 2.2% protein, vitami
A, vitamins B1, B2 and nicotruic acid (against Pellagra) it has traces of minerals needed for the body like magnesium, potassium, calcium and phosphorous.

Use of dates as a medicine has been practiced at many place in history.Dates and date palms have been mentioned in the Holy Qur'an 20 times, thus showing medicinal importance of dates. The Prophet likened a good Muslim to the date palm, saying, "Among trees, there is a tree like a Muslim. Its leaves do not fall".

For Mothers:

At one place in Nobel Quran:

” And shake towards you the trunk of the palm tree, it will drop on you fresh ripe dates", so eat and drink and be comforted”. (Surat Mariyam, Ayaat 25-6).

It was recommended to Nobel lady Maryam while she was undergoing painful process of giving birth. Which explains medicinal importance of dates in maternity related issues. The ripe date contains a substance that urges uterine spasms and increases contractions especially in the time of delivery. This substance resembles the hormone ‘oxytocin’ that is secreted by the interior lobe of pituitary gland, which encourages contractions of the uterus. Dates contain some stimulants which strengthen the muscles of the uterus in the last months of pregnancy. This helps the dilation of the uterus at the time of delivery and reduces post-natal bleeding. This was the sacred prescription, for the mother of Messiah at the time of delivery, to make the delivery trouble-free and easy. Similarly it is beneficial for breast feeding mothers as it has high levels of potassium.

For Energy:

Another factor making dates the ideal food is their digestibility.it has high percentage of sugar (70-80%).And both forms of sugar; fructose and glucose which have high caloric values, it is easily and quickly digestible, and very helpful to the brain. Within half an hour of eating them, the tired body regains new vigor. 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 abated.

For Heart Problems:

Holy prophet Himself recommended his companions to use dates . One of the hadeeth is very famous for it:

Sa’ad bin Waqqas narrates that I suffered from an illness. Prophet Mohammed visited me. He put his hands between my nipples and I felt its coolness at my heart. He said: You are a man suffering from heart disease. Go to Al Haris Ibn Kaladah( a jew medical expert) brother of Saqif. He is an expert who gives medical treatment. He should take seven Ajwah dates of Madinah and grind them with their kernels, and then put them into your mouth. (Sunan Abi Dawood, Book 28, No. 3866: Narrated Saad).

Anti Dote Against Poison:

"Ajwah is from Jannat ( heaven) and contains an antidote against poison" (Tirmizi).

Above mentioned hadeeth tells that we can use dates as a medicine against poison too. It was reported by Abu Naaim, Abu Daoud, Al Hakem, Al Imam Al Tarmithi and mentioned in The book of Al Imam Al Thahabi "The Prophetic Medicine" that the Prophet (PBUH) said: " The one who eats seven dates in the morning will be protected that day from poison and envy"

For Children:

As explained earlier that dates contain natural sugar which is easily absorbed and digested, thus, it is safe and comforting for children’s stomach and intestine. Dates become more useful especially if we mix them with Milk , becomes very nourishing and restorative drink for children and adults. Dates and honey paste is used for the treatment of diarrhea and dysentery in children but it should be taken three times a day.

Chewing dates also comforts gums in teething process of children.

A Recommendation for Fasters:

(When any of you breaks his fasting he should eat dates cause dates are blessing, if he didn’t find dates then drink water cause water is purifying) [Narrated by Abo Dawood].

Dates are recommended in both of the saher and aftaar. The prophetic wisdom out of having Dates for breakfast might be reduce the hunger and consequently, reduce the amounts of food consumed; therefore the fasting will be effective and useful. And similarly in aftar, suger level of the body is too low. To meet up the energy requirements of body some instant source of energy is needed. What ever kind of food we take, it takes some time to be digested and it will require almost 2-3 hours to get absorbed from intestines and reach blood. As dates are digested readily , so they can be an excellent energy source for the body deprived of energy.