ALMISKEENAH

Dates

 

Subhanallah, how resplendent these dates; green gems strung on a golden chain, suspended from a most elegant palm. Fashioned by the most Artistic of Jewellers! Allahu Akbar. This photo was taken a few weeks ago in one of the dense groves hugging the foot of Mount Uhud.

The very same bunch having been artistically rendered with a subtle palette of ruby by Al-Khaliq, The Creator during the time in between visits. Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar.

 

I was momentarily transported back in time whilst standing on a track inside this plantation. Imaging that it could very well have been where,  Khalid ibn Al Waleed RadhiAllahu anhu, (before he was the Sword of Allah) had so aggressively ridden to the surprise attack on the Muslims as they left their position on top of Mount Ramah.

 

Khalid ibn Al Waleed Radhiallahu anhu, rode around the back of mount Uhud appearing from the opposite side to where the Qureysh army had originally attacked. At the time the date plantations were extremely dense, providing an excellent camouflage. He was noted for his courage, intellect, firm determination, as well as an unparalleled rider, expert swordsman, and equally adept with the spear or any other weapon. The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: "Khalid ibn Al Waleed! On the basis of your intelligence and foresight I was very hopeful that one day you would finally accept Islam." Masha’Allah, what stunning attributes he did bring to the Muslims and their numerous battles requiring his impeccable skills in warfare, after realizing the Truth and embracing Islam.

As I walked on this dirt track, the houses around Uhud vanished on my inner screen. Replaced by imaginative scenes of tension, disobedience, death, pain, loss, amidst valour and heroics on this small battlefield. The Sahabah Radhiallahu anhum, were fearless in their sacrifices for the sake of Islam, their ardent trust in our Noble Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and their firm belief in all the promises of the Akhirah. May Allah Ta’ala bestow the highest Ajar on the martyrs of Uhud, especially the cherished uncle of the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, Sayyiduna Hamza, RadhiAllu anhu. And may He bring them close to Him in Jannatul Firdous, along with all true Shaheed. Ameen.

 

I did not linger, the sun was scorching.

 

Tal’a  is the very first stage of the date and it is small pearly fruits that have quite a  slightly astringent taste. This is the most liked by birds so they feast on it, leaving just enough SubhanAllah, on each corymb (the long stalk with the numerous stems carrying the dates) so as not to be overweighed by the ripened fruit later on. The corymb can be 25-100 centimeters long, Masha’Allah.

The fruit pass through several separate stages of maturity, traditionally described by changes in colour, texture taste and flavour. Green dates contain maximum moisture and are firm in texture. These are now available in the market. Some traditional Arabs particularly enjoy them, in this form. Though we have been told that after a few days they become soft and have a distinct flavour compared to the ripe or dried dates. Reflect on the Hadith where the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam was offered a bunch of dates composed of various stages of development so he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam could choose the ones he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam preferred.

The next stage (Arabic khalal), the dates begin to lose moisture and in parallel accumulate considerable quantities of sugar. The Bedu farmers love the intense heat we are experiencing these days, saying that the success of the date crops depends on this intense blast between the green stage and then the gradual transformation into the ripe crispy juicy phase. The average palm tree can produce 40 kilograms of dates.

There are approximately 300 varieties of dates in the Kingdom.

Alhumdulillah, how Allah Ta’ala is constantly revealing His signs across the spectrum of His Grandeur. For men of understanding, so that we may be grateful, for people who believe, for people who know, for people who believe with certainty.  Subhanallah.

 

With it He causes to grow for you the crops, the olives, the date-palms, the grapes, and every kind of fruit. Verily! In this is indeed an evident proof and a manifest sign for people who give thought.  (16:11)

 

Then We brought forth for you therewith gardens of date-palms and grapes, wherein is much fruit for you, and whereof you eat. (23:19)

 

Therein are fruits, date-palms producing sheathed fruit-stalks (enclosing dates).  (55:11)

 

In them (both) will be fruits, and date- palms and pomegranates.  (55:68)

 

And out of the date palm and its pollen come forth clusters of dates hanging low and near, (6:99)

 

Allah Ta’ala mentions dates and the palm tree numerous times in His Book. Alluding to the significance and the beneficial qualities of all aspects of the palm and its produce. May we take heed of this repetition of the Signs from Allah Ta’ala, Insha’Allah and bring these lessons into our lives today. May our hope to be in the bliss of Jannah amidst groves of heavenly trees, and all the untold unimaginable features, inspire us to have the sincerity of intention that all we do is for Allah Ta’ala, and that we are accruing Amal Salih in the hope of securing a place in His Garden. Ameen Ameen Ameen.

 

The story of Maryam Alaiha Salam attests to the high regard Allah Ta’ala has for the palm tree and its fruit

 

And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a date-palm. She said: "Would that I had died before this, and had been forgotten and out of sight!" 

(19:23)

"And shake the trunk of date-palm towards you, it will let fall fresh ripe-dates upon you." 

(19:25)

Harun Yahya in the chapter Eat Dates from his book ‘Maryam: An Exemplary Muslim Woman’ gives a detailed outline of this beautiful story as well as an excellent commentary on the amazing nutritional values of the date. (ignore the illustrations, a sad addition) Additional nutritional information.

Ajwa dates are the most famous ones from Madinah.

Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam has said: “The Ajwa dates is from Jannah and in it is a cure from poison." (Tirmidhi and Ibne Maja). In another hadith Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam has said: "He who eats seven ajwa dates in the morning will not be harmed by poison or black magic for that day. (Bukhari and Muslim)

 

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar Radhiallahu anhu: The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said, "There is a tree among the trees which is similar to a Muslim (in goodness), and that is the date palm tree." (Bukhari and Muslim)

The Ulema say that dates speed digestion, clears the bowels, forms a balanced diet, provides energy and zest, increases and enriches the blood, strengthens the functions of the kidneys, removes throat and skin infections and removes biliousness.

 

Ayesha Radhiallahu anha reports that our Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam was very fond of eating dates with sweet melon. This diet is said to be very good as a neutralizer as well as very good food, acid stomach, dryness and itchiness, biliousness and also when a person is feeling melancholic and depressed. This diet also opens the bowels and clears the urinary tract and assists in removing any stone which may be lodged in the gallbladder.

 

Accounts from the time of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam tell how Bedouin trackers were able to discern from the droppings of the camels if they were from Madinah by the distinct small rounded shape of the Ajwa date stone. Hence aiding them with information of the movement of armies and traders. Subhanallah.

 

Another important feature of the date is Tahneek, a the Sunnah of the Prophet SallAllahu alahi wasallam for a new born baby. Allahu Akbar. Subhanallah, how we have been blessed with the correct Way to conduct every aspect of our lives, and with all the means of achieving this. Alhumdulillah.

 

Insha’Allah, my intention is to parallel my writing about dates and the palm tree with the stages it goes through. So more in a few weeks as the green gradually changes to ruby red and golden yellow. How majestic the plantations are, continually offering a feast for the eyes, seasonal feasts for the tongue, and a continual boost to our Iman!

Masha’Allah!

 

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Bless all readers.