"There is among trees one that is pre-eminently blessed, as is the Muslim among men; it is the date palm."

Al-Mustafa SallAllahu alaihi wasallam 

This blessed palm is at its peak of production during these intense days of heat. The Mubarak city of our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam is sweltering under extreme temperatures, the ideal conditions for ripening the very fruits Allah Ta’ala has said will be in His Garden.  

With fruits…date palms and pomegranate trees….

(55:68)

 

And bunches of fruits thereof will hang low within their reach.  

(76:14)

And one of the wondrous things that our Beloved Nabi SallAllahu alaihi wasallam has told us is that the trunks of the trees of Jannah are made of gold! Allow the eyes of the heart to bask in such a vision…look at this trunk of gold…tears smudge the cheeks even with our inferior and limited imagination . Ya Rabb Ya Lateef….may all reading this be blessed with this reality. We ask Allah Ta’ala to grant us what no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no tongue has tasted, no human heart can comprehend, we ask You to grant us this, by Your Grace.  Ameen, Ameen Ameen.

 

This magnificent palm has been providing fruit for thousands of years, evidence of its existence dating back to 5000-6000 BC. Allah Ta’ala has created the strong stalks capable of nourishing large bunches, each containing  more than a thousand dates, weighing between 6 to 8 kg, and each tree can produce between five and ten bunches. A mature female tree can produce upwards of 150 pounds of fruit annually.

The sugar content of ripe dates is about 80%; the remainder consists of protein, fat and mineral products including copper, sulphur, iron, magnesium and fluoric acid. Dates are high in fiber and an excellent source of potassium. Five dates (approx. 45 grams) contain about 115 calories, nearly all from carbohydrates. Bedouin Arabs, who eat them on a regular basis, show an extremely low incidence of cancer and heart disease.

 

These styrene foam boxes are seen all over the city; laden pickup trucks line the sides of all major roads, boxes are piled high in all shops and markets, while in the homes all are indulging in consuming these delicious summer gifts along with freezing the excess in readiness for Ramadhan Iftas!

 

Eat two, pack one, eat three, pack one….these are the sticky, juicy, succulent, superlative yummy,  syrupy sweet Rutana dates freshly plucked from a friend’s farm that I have been packaging for Ramadhan…..eat four, pack one! 

 

Same dates, same growing conditions, same soil, same sun, same water, same sweetness as when our Blessed Messenger of Allah Ta’ala graced this Mubarak City. How Merciful, how Kareem is our Lord Subhanahu wa Ta’ala, the Nourisher, the Sustainer, in maintaining such Barakah over all these centuries. May we all work towards our gratitude being commensurate with His Bounties, Ameen.

 

Previous "date" posts include more information, stories and Ahadith.   

Once again, appreciation to a special sister who was recently blessed in visiting the Holy Sanctuaries and now sharing her experiences with you by so generously allowing me to use her photographs. May Allah Ta’ala fill her life with the best of His Bounties from His Unlimited Treasures, Ameen.

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen.