The holy month of fasting, prayer, and reflection, Ramadan is among the most important non secular intervals noticed by Muslims everywhere in the world. As a part of the custom, devotees practise abstinence and quick from pre-dawn to nightfall. The pre-dawn meal is known as ‘sehri‘ and the meal with which the quick is damaged at sundown is named ‘iftar‘.
Whereas Muslims devour a wide range of meals throughout iftar, primarily based on their preferences and geographical places, dates are among the many commonest meals gadgets with which most individuals break their quick, historically. Thought of sacred in Islam, they’re a staple on iftar tables throughout Ramadan as it’s believed to have appeared over 20 instances in Quran and had been advocated by Prophet Muhammad himself.
Let’s delve deeper into the historical past of dates, their significance in Islam, and the varied well being advantages related to them.
Historical past of dates
Believed to be one of many oldest cultivated bushes on the planet, the origin of the date palm is basically unsure due to its lengthy cultivation. In India, particularly, dates are current for the reason that Harappan time, in keeping with Kurush Dalal, culinary anthropologist, archaeologist, and historian.
“We’ve each sorts of dates in India: Phoenix Dactylifera and Phoenix Sylvestris. The latter is normally seen within the coastal areas, principally used to make date palm wines or to show them into jaggery by boiling them down. Dates which can be instantly eaten are Phoenix Dactylifera that are primarily domesticated and bred for dimension, form, meat and so forth. in West Asia. From there, they instantly come to our nation. Indian dates have little meat on them,” he added, explaining the varieties out there in India and round.
Dates have a number of well being advantages too. (Supply: Pixabay)
Dates, in keeping with Dalal, have been a vital commodity traded from West Asia, proper from the medieval interval and earlier than. “It’s largely used in Gulf as a result of it is among the few bushes that develop in that area and Islam has originated from that place,” he mentioned.
He defined that because it was one of many few out there bushes within the area, date palms had been of nice significance. “The date sap nurtures the date fruits, the date palm is used for thatching the homes and the massive palm wooden is used for making the home. What coconut tree is to individuals of coastal India, date palm is to the individuals of Arabia and West Asia.”
Dates can be found in numerous varieties and, curiously, some dates are removed from costly than others. That, in keeping with the meals historian, relies on the flavour, sugar content material, quantity of meat and style amongst different components.
Significance in Islam
Since dates are dehydrated and include tons of sugar, they’ve an extended shelf life, shared Krish Ashok, creator of Masala Lab: The Science of Indian Cooking. He added that dates don’t go unhealthy simply and are, due to this fact, a really essential meals merchandise for individuals in deserts.
“For any faith that originated in deserts, like Islam, dates are naturally going to be part of its central id. Any lengthy journey in deserts, similar to the journey of Muhammad from Mecca to Medina, undoubtedly includes dates. Thus, Muslims eat dates as a result of they’re religiously important in Islam. Dates will not be native to India and plenty of different elements of the world, however you discover them right here as a result of individuals eat them as a cultural marker,” he added, explaining the importance.
In line with Hadith literature, it’s believed that the Messenger of Allah (Prophet) would break his quick with ripe dates earlier than he would pray. If there have been no recent dates, then with dried dates, and if there have been no dried dates, then with just a few sips of water. Thus, it’s urged to each one to interrupt their fasts with recent dates, dried dates or water, in case dates will not be out there. Contemplating these historic and important non secular occasions related to dates, Muslims everywhere in the world eat dates throughout Ramadan, particularly as a way to break their fast throughout iftar.
Other than Islam, dates additionally discover point out within the non secular texts of Christianity and Judaism.
Well being advantages
In line with Aman Puri, founder, Steadfast Diet, dates will not be simply religiously important but additionally extraordinarily wholesome. Listed below are a few of these well being advantages.
Other than Islam, dates additionally discover point out within the non secular texts of Christianity and Judaism. (Supply: Pixabay)
*They’re a great supply of antioxidants which can assist cut back oxidative stress and decrease the chance of coronary heart illnesses.
*Being excessive in fibre, they will successfully assist relieve consumption.
*Dates have a great iron content material which helps deal with iron deficiency and anaemia signs.
*They’re wealthy in calcium and phosphorous – which work collectively to maintain the bones sturdy.
*As a result of their low Glycemic Index (GI), they’re a a lot more healthy different to common white sugar. Dates are, due to this fact, thought of safer than refined sugar for diabetics when consumed moderately.
He added that they’re significantly useful throughout fasting days as they “assist enhance the power ranges, being naturally wealthy in sugars like glucose and fructose”. Moreover, they assist regularise the blood sugar levels after a protracted interval of fasting, the nutritionist shared.
“Because of the presence of soluble fibre, dates present a greater satiety worth which may forestall one from over-indulging in meals after breaking quick. Dates additionally assist higher digestion and decrease the probabilities of an upset abdomen after consuming massive quantities of meals submit fasting.”
In line with Ashok, nonetheless, dates wouldn’t have important well being advantages. “They include lots of energy. Fashionable dietary science tells you it spikes your blood sugar ranges. It’s consumed throughout Ramadan attributable to its non secular significance, not well being advantages. Thus, it ought to be consumed moderately. Fashionable proof means that breaking quick with high-protein and high-fat meals gadgets assist handle glucose spike much better than dates,” he mentioned.
Wholesome dates recipes
If you’re trying to embody some dates in your iftar meals this Ramadan, attempt these nutritious recipes urged by Puri.
Dates smoothie
Components
*1 banana (ideally chilled)
*1 cup of milk (any:oat/coconut/almond/soy/toned milk)
*4 dried dates (pitted)
*1 tsp of flax seeds
*1/2 tsp of cinnamon powder
Methodology
- Mix all of the components in a mixer/meals processor and mix properly
- Serve chilled and luxuriate in!
Dates and oatmeal granola bar
Components
*Rolled oats (50 grams)
*Desiccated coconut (2 tbsp)
*Salt (a pinch)
*2 tbsp of nut butter (almond /peanut butter)
*3-4 Medjool dates
*Coconut oil (as required)
Methodology
- Combine oats, coconut powder, and salt in a mixer/meals processor till mixed properly.
- Add nut butter, and pitted dates, and course of the combination once more to kind crumbly dough kind.
- Add coconut oil because the dough might be a bit of dry and run it within the processor till a sticky dough kinds.
- Press the dough right into a greased pan and let it sit within the fridge for an hour to set.
- Lower in any desired form and have a contented and wholesome snacking!
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