Snacking with Dates

Sayyiduna Anas ibn Malik رضى الله عنه narrates: “The Messenger of Allah صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ used to open his fast with some fresh dates before praying salah. If there were no fresh dates, he had a few dry dates, and if there were no dry dates, he took some water. [Abu Dawud, #2356]

• The Messenger of Allah صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ would open his fast with fresh dates.
• The dates of Madinah Munawwarah are blessed because Nabi صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ made duafor barakah for the produce of Madinah Munawwarah. [Muslim, #1373]
• The dates of Palestine are also blessed because it is grown on the land described by Allah in the Holy Qur’an as the Land of Barakah. [Surah Bani Isra’eel, v.1]
• Nabi صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ loved Ajwa dates. [The Sublime Conduct of Nabi صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ v.1 pg. 176]

Sayyiduna Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas رضى الله عنه narrates: “The Messenger of Allah صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ said, ‘He who eats seven Ajwa dates every morning, will not be affected by poison or magic on the day he eats them.’” [Bukhari, #5445]

Sayyidah Salma رضى الله عنها narrates that Nabi صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ said, “The home that does not have dates is like a home that has no food.” [Ibn Majah, #3328]

The hadith is emphasizing that dates should be in one’s home throughout the year. Dates can be consumed as fruit and as food.

In different hadith the Noble Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ  is reported to have combined dates with other items:

• dates and cucumbers
• dates and watermelon
• dates and muskmelon
• dates and milk
• dates and water

The above is not specific to Ramadhan. It can be done anytime when having dates.

Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik رضى الله عنه said: “Old dates were offered to the Messengerof Allah صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ  and I saw him inspect it.” [Ibn Majah, #3333]

It is sunnah to check old dates for insects before consuming it. [The Sublime Conduct of Nabi صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ   v.1 pg. 187]

In a lengthy hadith, Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Busr رضى الله عنه narrates that Nabi صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ  while eating dates would place the pit between the two fingers (index and middle). [Muslim, #2042]

Commentary of Scholars of Hadith
He صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ would put his index and middle finger together and place the pit in between on the back of the fingers. (most likely, this was done on the left hand because he would eat with his right hand, MS) He would then fling the pit away. The Noble Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ would not place the pit back into the same tray containing dates. This was done so the saliva on the pit does not get in contact with the remaining dates. Dates and pits should not be put in the same utensil.

Note
The furnishing of the homes in the blessed era of Nabi صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ were not like today. Therefore, it would be advisable to refrain from flinging pits in the home. In sha Allah one will receive the reward by placing an empty container for pits.