In his book, Imam Ibn al-Qayyim discussed different types of dates in five chapters.
The first he mentioned is the green date ("balah"). Aisha reports that the Messenger of Allah said: "Eat green dates with dates ("tamr") because when Satan sees the son of Adam eating green dates and dates ("tamr") he says: 'The son of Adam has lived long enough to eat what is fresh along with what is old.'"
In another wording, he said: "Eat its green dates with dates ("tamr") for Satan grieves when he sees the son of Adam eating green dates and dates ("tamr"); he says 'The son of Adam has lived long enough to eat what is fresh along with what is old.'"
Some physicians said that the Prophet ﷺ ordered eating green dates with dates ("tamr"), but he did not order eating ripe dates ("busr") with dates ("tamr") because green dates are cold and dry, while dates ("tamr") are hot and moist, and each improves the other.
From a medical standpoint, according to Ibn al-Qayyim, it is not fitting to combine two hot things or two cold things.
Green dates are beneficial for the mouth, the gums, and the stomach, but are harmful to the lungs because of their acidity. Their digestion in the stomach is slow and they are not very nourishing. These dates are to the date palm what sour grapes are to the vine; both cause flatulence and belching, especially if water is drunk after eating them. Their harm can be countered with dates or honey with butter.
When Abu Uthman Ibn al-Tayhan received the Prophet ﷺ, Abu Bakr, and Umar, he brought them a bunch of dates. He was asked: "Why didn't you pick fresh dates for him?" He replied that he had wanted them to have both ripe dates ("busr") and fresh dates ("rutab") to choose from. Ibn al-Qayyim says that the ripe date is hot and dry, and its dryness is greater than its heat. It dries out moisture, tans the stomach, and constipates. The ripe date is also beneficial for the gums and the mouth, the most beneficial being the one that is soft and sweet, but eating too much of it causes blockages in the bowels.
Ibn al-Qayyim mentions fresh dates ("rutab") when speaking of the dates with which the Prophet ﷺ broke his fast. Allah says to Mary: "Shake toward you the trunk of the palm tree, ripe fresh dates will fall upon you. Eat, drink, and be glad."
Abdullah Ibn Ja'far reports: "I saw the Prophet ﷺ eating wild cucumbers with fresh dates."
According to Anas: "The Prophet ﷺ would break his fast with a few fresh dates before performing the prayer. If there were no fresh dates, he would take dates ("tamr"), and if there were none of those either, he would drink a few sips of water."
The nature of fresh dates is that of water, hot and moist, at body temperature.
These dates strengthen a cold stomach and suit it. They are aphrodisiac, fertilize the body, suit people of cold temperament, and are very nourishing. Fresh dates are among the most beneficial fruits for the body. For someone not used to eating them, their putrefaction in the body is rapid, and they produce blood that is not praiseworthy.
Eating too many of them causes headaches, black bile, and damages the teeth.
The fact that the Prophet ﷺ broke his fast with fresh dates, dates ("tamr"), or water, is a very subtle management, because fasting empties the stomach of food, and as a result the liver finds nothing there to draw strength from to send to the organs. Sugar is what reaches the liver the fastest, and it is what the liver prefers, especially if it is moist. Dates were chosen for their sweet and nutritious nature, and if the Prophet ﷺ could not find any, he would drink water to put out the fire of the stomach and the heat of the fast. In this way one prepares for the meal and eats with appetite.
According to Sa'd Ibn Abi Waqqas, the Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever eats seven 'ajwa' dates in the morning will not be harmed that day by poison or by sorcery."
Jabir Ibn Abu Sa'id reports that the Prophet ﷺ said: "The dates 'al-ajwa' come from paradise. They are a cure against poison, and the truffle 'al-man,' its juice is a cure against the evil eye." It is said that this is specific to the "al-ajwa" dates of Medina, and that among all the dates of the Hijaz they are the best. Their variety is noble, succulent, and fortifying for the body. They are among the sweetest and most delicious dates.
What the science says: dates, reflux and the stomach, mouth and teeth
What published research says about the remedies mentioned above, for information purposes only — the studies concern material causes, healing belongs to Allah.
Dates
A food of the Sunnah, the date has been studied in particular in pregnant women: eating dates in late pregnancy is associated with shorter labor and better cervical dilation (J Obstet Gynaecol, 2011), confirmed by a meta-analysis (Explore, 2021) and a recent review (Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J, 2024). Rich in fiber, potassium and readily available sugars, it is also the ideal food for breaking the fast. Precaution: energy-dense and sweet — moderation is advised for diabetics (3 to 7 dates a day according to tradition, to be adapted to one's own situation).
Reflux and the stomach
Gastroesophageal reflux responds first to lifestyle habits: light meals eaten early, an elevated head of the bed, a healthy weight, quitting smoking, and less coffee and fat (JAMA, 2020) (Ther Clin Risk Manag, 2021); traditional medicinal plants (licorice, chamomile, ginger) are being evaluated for dyspepsia (Curr Drug Discov Technol, 2021). Precaution: licorice raises blood pressure; persistent heartburn, difficulty swallowing or unexplained weight loss should be investigated.
Mouth and teeth
Siwak reduces plaque and gum inflammation (Saudi Med J, 2015) (J Ethnopharmacol, 2022); propolis is being studied for oral health (J Funct Biomater, 2024), and honey for mouth sores. Salt water rinses, clove for tooth pain, less sugar: the basics. Precaution: a cavity, an abscess or gums that bleed persistently need to be treated by a dentist — natural remedies bring relief in the meantime, they do not repair the problem.
