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Being a good Muslim we would be the most obedient by the guidances of the Al-Quran and Al-Hadith (The practice of the Prophet Muhammad). The worth of dates had been mentioned more than twenty times in the Al-Quran. While Rasulllullah had preached his followers the important value of dates and to consume it regularly.

Dates are believed to be the heavenly fruit and those who eat it regularly would be protected from food poisons, devils and charms.

Allah, the Creator, had blessed Maryam (Virgin Mary) at the time of the birth of Prophet Isa (Jesus). It was a prescription of dates to make the delivery easy, comfortable and perhaps with less pain.

Allah personally recommended the eating of dates as indicated in a beautiful passage of the Al-Qur'an, surah Maryam, verses 25-26: "And shake the trunk of date-palm towards you, it will let fall fresh ripe-dates upon you." (25) "So eat and drink and be glad, And if you see any human being, say: 'Verily! I have vowed a fast unto the Most Gracious (Allh ) so I shall not speak to any human being this day". (26)

And as mentioned in the Al-Qur'an, surah Al-Mukminah, verse 19: "Then We brought forth for you there with gardens of date-palms and grapes, wherein is much fruit for you, and where of you eat.".

Allah s.w.t. makes dates very special. While the fruits is still hanging on the tree, there were neither an insect nor birds to peck and spoiled it. It is odorless and doesn't attract them at all. Therefore, only human beings can do the pollinating for it. Allah s.w.t also protected it from ants or flies when it has landed on earth. Perhaps it's only fit to be consumed by human being.

Rasulullah valued dated so much and highly recommended it to be given to the pregnant women as recorded in the following Hadiths:

"Feed your pregnant wife with dates, because when the pregnant woman eat dates, she would surely to give birth to a baby who is patience, well behaved and intelligent ".
"Feed those pregnant women with the dates before they give birth. Thus, the babies born would grow up to be strong and obedience persons (cleaner heart)".

He also encouraged his followers to consume dates with the following Hadiths:

"Homes without the dates, causes its resident to be unhealthy".

"Homes without dates is as good as a home without food".

"Avoid Hell! Even though by giving as charity with half of the dates".

It has also become a custom among Muslim parents all over the world to put a small piece of chewed dates into the baby's mouth. But, more often than not, they would ask an Imam (A Muslim's leader) or Ustaz (A Muslim's Teacher) to perform this.

This practice of the Prophet, upon him be pieced, is recorded in the two genuine Hadiths collections of Bukhari and Muslim:

Abu Buradah reported from Abu Musa, who said: `I had a new-born baby; I took him to the Prophet Muhammad, upon him be peace and blessings, who called him Ibrahim. The Prophet chewed a date, then he took it and rubbed the inside of the baby's mouth with it.'

The Sunnah (Those who obeyed the Al-Quran and Al-Hadith) also recommended dates to be served and eaten during the breaking of the fasting in Ramadhan. It contained a lot of sugar with less fat, and easily digestible. Therefore, it is most needed booster for the body after about twelve hours of fasting. It revitalized your energy almost instantly.

Wallahu'alambissawab ... And Allah knows best. He would not have created and recommended something for nothing.

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