Section: Ajwa dates of Madina
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Dates are basically a tropical fruit which is grown on date palm trees. It’s scientifically known as Phoenix Dactylifera and is one of the most healthy fruits around the world. Coming under the dry fruit category, dates are highly nutritious and extremely tasty. Dates also play an important role in the cultural heritage of many middle east nations. The name date is derived from Greek origins following the name Gaktulos, which translates in English to the term “fingers” as an ode to the peculiar shape of the fruit. Date palms are scientifically known as Phoenix Dactylifera and belong to the Arecaceae family.Dates are known for their high content of natural sugars. It’s interesting to notice that dried dates have a higher calorie content when compared to the fresh fruit. The calorie content of dates is one of the most important fact that adds to the rising preference for this middle east fruit. Grown on date palms, these fruits are harvested mostly by local farmers and then exported around the world. Dates grow in a clustered pattern and are harvested in bunches. It’s almost a staple diet to the practitioners of Islam around the world and is one of the important opening fruit during the season of fasting. This is due to the high nutrient content present in the fruit which makes it a very good choice to run the day with.To protect oneself against magicSeven Ajwa dates of Madina should be eaten as mentioned in the sound Hadith. Amer bin Saad related that his father (RA) said: I heard ”Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) saying:’ If somebody takes seven Ajwa dates in the morning neither magic nor poison will hurt him that day’ ”.Al-Khatabi said that the Ajwa dates protect against magic because Allah’s prophet invoked for the dates of Madina not due to a specialty in the dates (Fath Al-Bari-10/239).His Honor, Sheikhh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Baz (May Allah have Mercy on Him) said that it is a continuous treatment until the Day of Judgment, as mentioned in the prophetic saying. It is true also, he added, that using Ajwa dates include all that of Madina as narrated by Muslim that the prophet said so (Fath Al-Haq Al-Mubin fi Ilag Al-Saraa wa Al-Sihr wa Al-Ein -p.173).His Honour, Sheikhh Sulayman bin Naser said that, whenever possible, one should take seven Ajwa dates for it is a legal reason and protection against magic. In the two Sahih and others, Amr son of Saad (May Allah be Pleased with them Both) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said,"If anyone takes seven Ajwa dates in the morning neither magic nor poison will hurt him that day”. Some scholars said that the dates should be those of the Ajwa dates, while others claim that Ajwa is used because it only refers to the predominant types; thus any dates are useful. However, I think that the Ajwa dates are more beneficial and effective though does not discard the effect of others.In my opinion, a lot of benefit lies in the Ajwa dates in general and that of Madina in specific until the Day of Judgment; hence, such effect was not confined to the prophet’s time. Experience and experiment in this area confirms the fact that the Ajwa dates has a great effect on magic either before or after it, as stated by Sheikhh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Baz.Benefits of DatesThe high nutrient content of the fruit contributes to its highly beneficial properties. The need for a comprehensive fruit diet cannot be fulfilled without the inclusion of dates. In the below section we will be discussing the various benefits that dates can have on your health.