Berny Dates Are A Cure

The Messenger (SWS) said, "The best of your dates are Berny dates, they take out disease and there is no disease in them". [Saheehah (4/459, 460,461)].

Dates, Medina Dates (Ajwa)

Dehydrated Dates

Jabir and Ibn Sa'id narrated that the prophet (SWS) said: "Dates are a fruit which seed came from paradise.  They are an antidote for poisoning, a rich source of increasing semen, and drinking the water of soaked Medina dates breaks the spell of witchcraft ". {reported bu al-Nisa'i and Ibn Maja}

Imaam Bukhari classified Medina dates as the wonder drug.  Dates are high in sugar content.  Dates are dehydrated in the sun or on their trees and are sometimes softened with milk to help digestion, and are often ground for flour.  Some of their benefits also include providing high fiber contents, and they slow down the digestive process to uniformity.

Hijaz dates of the Arabian peninsula are the best and most nutritious.

Enlargement Of The Heart

The Benefit Of Dates

Mujahid narrated in Sunan Abu Dawoud that Sa'id said: " Gods Messenger visited me during a sickness I had, he placed his hand between my nipples, and I felt its cool blessings in the organs that lie within the chest wall.  He then commented: 'You are suffering from enlargement of the heart (Arb. maf'oud).  Call for al-Harith bin Kaladah.  He practices medicine.  Ask him to take seven dried Medina dates (ajwa), crush them with their seeds to form a medicinal compound, and let him massage your chest with their paste ".

Medina dates have extraordinarily rich medicinal properties, and the prophets prescription for this particular treatment has subtle spiritual value that can only be understood through faith.  It is related in the two books of correct prophetic traditions (sahih), that the father of Sa'ad bin Abi Waqqass reported God's Messenger saying:  " Whoever takes seven dates of the plantation of 'Aliya for his morning breakfast will suffer from neither poison nor witchcraft for that day". (Bukhari)

Dates are hot in the secound degree and dry in the first.  Some hakims consider dates to be moist. Dates are an excellent nutritional food and particularly for those who are accustomed to the on their basic diet such as the dwellers of Medina, among others.  Dates provide necessary dietary supplements in cold climates though they are more beneficial for the dwellers of hot climates.  The stomachs of the dwellers of cold climates are hot, and the stomachs of the dwellers of hot climates are cold.  This explains why the dwellers of the Arabian peninsula, Yemen, Ta'if and neighboring climates of hot climates, for example, tolerate excess hot foods such as honey and dates, and why they relish hot condiments and spices in their meals, adding nearly ten times the amount customarily used in countries of cold and moderate climates; and in comparison to the dwellers of cold climates, they eat hot peppers and ginger and snack on their by-products in the same way others eat sweets.  In fact such diet agrees with them because their stomachs remain cool in the summer and warmer in the winter.  Similarly, one's stomach can digest coarse food in the winter it may not be able to burn up in the summer.

Hence , the dwellers of Medina, for example, depend greatly on the dates for a food in the same way others may depend on wheat.  From dates, they draw their needed energies and basic supplements.  Medina's dates of the palm (phoenix dactilifera) of 'Aliya are the best varieties, and they are blackish in colour. big, sweet and fleshy.  They also have gained the blessedness of being planted by God's Messenger himself.  Dates are considered food, medicine,as well as fruit.  They agree with most people, increase sexual strength and produce no harmful or indigestible waste matters as do several fruits.  Instead, for a frequent user, dates prevent putrescence of humors (akhlat) and their corruption.

Perhaps this prophetic saying deals with particularly with the dwellers of Medina and their neighbors. Hence, it is possible that the agricultural products of each land provide critical medicine for its own dwellers.  Should the same plant be sown in another area, it may not produce the same aforementioned nutritional values or medicinal effects.  This will be due to the type of earth, water and air.  In fact, there are as many varieties of soils as there are people, and each soil produces the necessary nutritional food needed by its people.  Several types of plants may be edible in some lands while they are considered poisonous in others, or perhaps some plants may be medicine for some people yet food for others.

Dates, Unfertilized Female Date (Busur)

It is reported in the collection of correct prophetic traditions (sahih) that Allah's Messenger, Abu  Bakr, and Omar, Allah be pleased with them, once visited al-Haytham bin Tayhan who placed before them a corymb of dates.  God's Messenger asked him: " Did you select fresh dates?" Al-Haytham replied: " I wish to place it before you to choose what you like from its Busur, as well as from its fresh ones".

Busur moisture is more hot than dry.  It benefits include drawing down body moisture, coating, the stomach, causing a balanced flow of atrabiliary blood and phlegm - effecting constipation, when used in enemata  and decoctions, it helps remedying uletic diseases, and the best are sweet and soft. 

Dates, dried (Tamr)

It is narrated that Allah's Messenger sometimes ate the date with butter, bread, or alone.  Dried dates are moist in the first degree and some say they are dry in the first degree.  Eating dates cures coarseness of the voice, stimulates liver functions and intestinal secretion, increases sexual potency, and particularly when eaten together with pine nuts.  Such benefits are prominent for the dwellers of hot climates.  As for dwellers of cold climates, and particularly those who are not used to it, arouse headache, and damage teeth, while such adverse effects can be overcome by eating almonds and poppies.

Dates are the most welcome food among fruits because of their hot and moist substance.  Eating dates in the morning on an empty stomach kills intestinal worms and other parasites, for dates have an antidotal potency (theriaca), hence, when used regularly, they limit and weaken the possibility of growth of worms and parasites in the intestinal fact.

Dates are classified as a food, drink, fruits, sweets, nutrients, and medicine.  Cured dates are called Ajwa in the Arabic.  ' Aisha (R) related the saying of the prophet (SWS): " Ajwa date is an excellent remedy ". (reported by Bukhari and Muslim).  In another narration he said: " Ajwa date is certainly an excellent and sufficient food.  " Dates are also among the fruits of paradise as noted in the prophetic saying".  " Ajwa is from paradise, and it contains an antidote against poison ". (reported by Imaam al-Tirmithi.

Date, Fertilized Unripe Date (Balah), Phonex dactylifera (Date palm)

Imam al-Nisa'i and Inb Maja reported in their jami that Aisha (R) narrated that Allah's Messenger said: " Eat fresh and dried together, for the devil bemoans his luck when he sees the son of Adam survived long enough to eat the new together with the old ".

Muslim physicians explained that the prophetic saying provides for eating fertilized unripe dates (balah) together with dried , and excluded the unpollinated female dates (busur.  See unfertilized female dates).  This is because fertilized unripe dates are hot and dry, whereas they are cold and moist when ripe.  Hence, they balance one another.  In observing the correct diet, one must not combine two hot, or two cold kinds of foods.  This is the meaning of the prophet's medical advice.

Because fertilized unripe dates are cold and dry, they provide benefits for the mouth, the gums, and the stomach.  However, they are unhealthy for the chest and lungs because of their rugosity, which slows down their coction, and they have fewer nutrients.  For a date palm tree, fertilized unripe dates are like the sour verjuice of the unripe fruit of a grapevine.  Both cause accumulation of gases, heartburn, flatulence, insufflation, particularly when one drinks water after eating dried dates, honey or butter.

Dates, fresh (Ratib)

Dates were a food Almighty Allah provided for Mary after she gave birth to Jesus under the palm tree.  Almighty Allah inspired Jesus, her blessed infant, and His future Messenger to the children of Israel, on one of the early miracles of his birth to say to her: "Shake the trunk of the palm-tree, and it will drop ripe dates on you, so eat, drink, and comfort your eyes (with what Allah gave you) (Quran 19:25)

Abdullah bin Ja'afar reported that he saw Allah's Mesenger eating fresh ripe dates with cucumber (Bukhari and Muslim).  Sometimes he also ate a couple of fresh dates with a drink to sweeten it.  However, he also used to eat a couple of fresh dates for his morning breakfast and before attending to his dawn fajr prayers, and when he did not find fresh dates, he ate dried ones. (reported in Bukhari. Cf. Dried dates). Fresh dates are hot and moist in the secound degree.  They rectify the condition of a cold stomach.  Eating fresh dates also stimulates sexual desire, increases semen, balances the constitution of people with cold temperament, and in general is extremely healthy and rich in benefits for the whole body, particularly where it is the staple fruit of the land.  For those who are not used to eating it, fresh dates will break down and putrefy rapidly in the stomach, and they will generate excessive heat and boiling of the blood, causing extreme headache and imbalance of the black bile, and damaging the teeth. hence, requiring balancing and adjustment of the humors through either food or cold temperament of the stomach caused by low caloric value in one's diet, and they relieve the condition of cold-natured substances in the stomach.  They also agree with the stomach, relieve intestinal malabsorption and correct weakness of digestion, as well as rectify hot constitution of the body when combined with an oxymel or with bitter pomegranate.  However, ripe dates deteriorate rapidly.  Eating fresh ripe dates excessively will agitate the blood, cause headache, obstruct blood vessels, cause bladder pain, increase thirst and damage ones teeth.  On the other hand, cucumbers are cold and moist in the secound degree.  They quench the thirst and stimulate ones energies even by their fragrant smell.  They cool bad temperament of the stomach, and balance gastrointestinal functions, and abate fever.  As with regard to Allah's Messenger breaking his fast on fresh dates, or dried ones, or even on water, there is of course a subtle reason for that.  Since sweet travel faster to the liver and are converted more expeditiously than other nutrients, particularly if they are moist as well, the liver then accepts them more readily, and hasten their distribution to the rest of the body, which is thirsting for energy.

The bad effects of dates can also be neutralized by adding almonds and poppy seeds to one's diet.  It is narrated in the traditions that Aisha (R) said: "They fed me with every type of food to gain weight, yet i did not put any on.  Then they added cucumber and fresh dates to my diet and that did it".

The benefits of eating fresh dates and cu-cumbers

It is essential to maintain good health by controlling one's diet and balancing one's intake of food and fruits.  Creating equilibrium of food will dispel any harm they may contain, and optimize their benefits.  Fresh ripe dates (Arb. ratib) are hot and moist in the second degree.  They relive symptoms of bad temperament of the stomach caused by low caloric value in ones diet, and relieve the condition of cold-natured substances in the stomach.  They also agree with the stomach, relieve intestinal malabsorption and correct weakness of digestion, as well as they rectify hot constitution of the body when combined with an oxymel or the bitter pomegranate.  However, ripe dates deteriorate rapidly.  Fresh ripe dates also increase male's seminal fluid and sexual power, though eating excess ripe dates will agitate the blood, develop headache, obstruct blood vessels, develop ache of the bladder, increase thirst, and damage ones teeth.  On the other hand, cucumbers are cold and moist in the second degree.  They quench the thirst and stimulate one's energies even by their fragrant smell.  They cool bad temperament of the stomach, balance gastrointestinal functions, ad abate fever.  When cucumber seeds are dried, ground, sifted and then emulsified, drinking such emulsion will quench the thirst, act as a diuretic, and relieve ache of the bladder, while brushing one's teeth with ground dried cucumber seeds whitens the teeth, among other benefits.

Altogether, fresh ripe dates are hot and cucumbers are cold.  Each one of them will compensate for the other, balance the body's natural defences, and smooth the digestive process.  The bad effects of dates can also be neutralized by eating almond and poppy seeds.  In fact, countering each bellicose substance with its opposite will balance it, nullify its malignancy, and bring forth its benefits.  This is an essence the basis of the natural law opposites, and this is the basis of the medical treatment, the foundation of preserving a healthy and strong body, and moreover, it is the core of medical science.  It is narrated that Aisha (R) said: " They nourished me with every type of food to gain weight, yet i did not put any on.  Then they added cucumber and fresh dates to my diet and that did it ".  Thus, cold is treated with hot, hot with cold, moist with dry , and dry with moist.  This will expel their harm  and balance their effects.  Similar to this theory is he prophetic guidance of mixing senna together with ghee and honey (sanut) as a natural mild laxative, for the sanut balances the effects of senna leaves.  All praise be to Allah, and may He shower His utmost blessings upon the Messenger who was sent to help rectify the conditions of the hears, give guidance on maintaining good health, and to benefit everyone concerning their welfare in this world and in the hereafter.

Spiritual Significance Of The Seven Dates

As for the spiritual significance of the seven dates indicated in the prophetic saying, this number came to pass by Divine Decree (qadar) prior to the coming into existence of Allah's creation. The number seven then was instituted by the Divine Law (Shari'a ).  In fact, everything is created in septuple.  Allah the Magnificent created the seven heavens having seven layers each; the two earths in seven formations; completed the creation of the human being in seven stages (atwar); mandated that His worshipers should circumambulate the holy house (Ka'aba) seven times; encompass the two hills of Safa and Marwa seven times; pelt the accursed one at Mina seven times, with seven stones each; and the glorifications of the Divine Name during two Muslim festivals (Eid) seven times each.  Allah's Messenger spoke concerning urging one's children to observe their regular pray at the age of seven. In the case of divorce Allah's Messenger also instituted that a child may choose between his father and mother when he reaches seven years of age.  Allah's Messenger asked his companions to pour seven water skins of cold water over his head.  Also Allah Almighty commanded the violent windstorm that destroyed the accursed people of Sodom to strike unrelentingly for seven consecutive days and nights as a punishment that culminated in their obliteration.  

Similar prominent regards for the cardinal  number seven also can be found in Greek philosophy and medicinal treaties.  Hippocrate outlined in his teachings that everything in this universe has seven sides to it (septilateral).  There are seven plants in the solar system, seven days in a week, seven stages in the lifetime of the human being. that is:1) infancy, 2) childhood; 3) teenage; 4) adolescence; 5) middle age; 6) old age; 7) decrepitude that concludes one's life in this world.  Allah knows best about the true meaning, purpose, decree and wisdom He intended in making the number seven a cardinal number, and whether the above interpretation fully explains the meaning of the seven dates, the city of Medina, and the relationship between them and their prevention of witchcraft and poison as mentioned in the saying of the Messenger.  

How to grind Date Stones ?

You are aware that date stones are the divine medicine for heart patients.

To grind the stones, first step is to dry roast them; they should be washed with water, dried under fan or sun for 3 days, & finally dry roasted at low heat.

It is very difficult to grind date stones with your blender / grinder, only some special machines can be valid. But if you are ready to get tired, put them (after roasting) in a cloth & break with hammer strikes, and then grind them by hand in a metallic Mortar & Pestle (Haawan Dasta).

But it is better taking them (after roasting) to a mill for grinding & because they are hard, first round of grinding will not be enough, you will also need a 2nd round. A simple flour mill will not help you; a special machine is required which has Steel sieves inside, such an equipment will be available with some shops that grind the herbs. And the machine needs at least 2 kg of stones to fill the chamber.

Make a habit of preserving date stones & you will feel happiness & joy in your heart.

Either you eat the powdered date stones with dates, or make a paste with honey or dates molasses, they will be a plumber+Cardiologist for your heart's health.

Although Ajwah of Madinah is the best medicine for a heart patient, but any kind of Madinah dates have the similar affect in a lesser degree, & we believe that dates anywhere around the world fall in the same category.

When roasted date stones are powdered, you will be surprised that they yield a typical fragrance of coffee ground with cardamom, we asked many friends to smell the powder, & all of them said that it is Arabic Qahwah with cardamom.

We also make hot infusion of date stones & Masha'Allah, the taste is better than coffee, with a nice aroma of cardamom as well, it is the best alternative for heart patients who should avoid tea, coffee & the over-burnt Qahwah.

Ibn Al Qayyam wrote about date seeds that نواها علفٌ للإبل، ويدخل في الأدوية والأكحال، which means that the seeds are a fodder for camels & are used in medicines & as eyeliner (KOHL).

In Madinah-al-Munawwarah, you will find ground / roasted date stones powder at various shops, Arabs use it as a coffee, & its aroma resembles 100 % to that of a coffee, same can be sieved in a thin cloth like Dupatta for using as eyeliner (KOHL). Particles should be ultra-fine & you may check them with your fingers, they should be like the powder used for finger-prints.

 Disclaimer,

Note: We are not medically trained and strongly suggest that a professional doctor or hospital be consulted for medical advice and diagnosis. This is especially important for pregnant women and people with allergies. We do not take any responsibility for any type of mishap or accident which may occur as a result of the information provided on our site.