By Fatou Camara
Narations tell us the breaking of fast with dates is rooted in religious teachings of the Prophet Muhammad SAW, who is quoted as saying: “When one of you is fasting, he should break his fast with dates; but if he cannot get any, then he should break his fast with water, for water is purifying. “
According to Islamic scholar Oustass Muhammed Sye, “it is significant for Muslims to break their fast with dates”.
“This is Sunnah, it is the way of life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Therefore I strongly advise all Muslims to consider breaking their fast with dates if they have it. In fact, is narrated the prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to break his fast with dates in odd numbers and if he don’t have dates then he takes water three times in sequence then eat something else. The sahabas followed this act and all Muslims to an extent WHO conducted a research on the fruit and came out with multiple health benefits,” the imam said.
Date vendor Rasidu Barry is a date trader for 15years. The man said Ramadan brings good business for him
“I’ve been in the date business for 15 years now. It is true that a business do not sell everyday but to be honest with you the business sells mostly during the month of Ramadan and I am glad the month is here and customers are coming to buy. This is good for my business.
“Even not for the business as a Muslim dates is something one should consider eating at the time of breaking the fast. It was the way of life of our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him),” he said.
The Qur’an also narrates the incidence when Maryam, may Allah be pleased with her, was provided with fresh ripe dates when she was feeling pain during childbirth ,and this also served as a reason for considering dates to be beneficial to pregnant women while experiencing contractions.
