The Date Palm in Islamic Religion (2/3)

2. Date palm in the Prophet Mohammed's speeches and life:

Abd Alla Ibn Omar said that "Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) said that: Among the trees there is one with non-fallen leaves, it's similar to the Muslim; think about it. The Muslims said that: That is date palm tree."

Salama Bent Kais said that "Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) said that: Feed women with Tamr after their delivery (on puerperium stage); whose feeds on Tamr her child grows up most merciful; it was the food of Virgin Mary in Jesus birth. If the God knows other best one 'He' had to feed her on it".

Soliman Ebn Amer El Dabbi said that "Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) said that: If one eats one eats after fast, it is preferably to eat Tamr if not available, her drinks some water it is cleared and pure".

Anas said that "Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) had eaten Rutab after fast and before his prayers, if no Rutab he eats Tamr if no Tamr, he drinks some water ".

Aisha (Prophet Mohammed's wife) said that: "A house free from Tamr their owner hungry".

Aisha said that " Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) said that: Excellent Agua has a curative effect".

Aisha said that "Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) had named Tamr and Milk, the two best (best among all food)".

Emam Musleim was mentioned that:" Abd Allah Ebn Ghfar had seen the Prophet Mohammed eats cucumber with Rutab".

Ebn Ody said that: Ali was mentioned that: "Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) Said that: The best of your Tamr is 'Berni' it is curative". Or Abi Hourira Said that "Prophet Mohammed said that: 'Berni' is curative and free from infection".

Saad said that "Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) said that: Who eats seven fresh Tamr fruits at breakfast, he gets over magic and poison on that day".

3. Date palm and the Prophet Mohammed legends:

Based on Gaber Ebn Abd Allah who said that: "the Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) was standing next to a date palm trunk during his prayers. One day a woman offers a seat to the Prophet to sit on it; when Mohammed (Peace be upon him) is sitting on this seat the date palm trunk was crying sadly for missing the Prophet's support" (Sawan,1993). Another interesting legend was mentioned by Abn Abas who mentioned that "An Arabian man came to the Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) and said to him, 'how can I know that you are the Prophet of God?' Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) answered that: 'I can call the date fruits from that tree to come down', and so he did; after that he ordered the date fruits to return up again and be reconnected to the tree; the fruits did. Then the Arabian man believed that the Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) is the Prophet of God." (El-Nadawi, 1994).

4. Ancient Islamic traditions and habits:

1. A great multitude of Ansar (Madina inhabitants, who believed with Mohammed) were celebrating the Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) coming and met him in Madina border terraces with palm leaves; they cried with load voice "A'la Akber" (Allahu Akbar).

2. Qur’an was written in Ancient times on palm leaf bases: After the death of Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him); Omar and Abu Baker (the Prophet’s friends and his followers) were ordered Zeid Ebn Thabet to collect Qur’an words: Zeid said that: “I started to collect it from the date palm leaves and whose know it".

3. Madina mosque: The Mosque in it the Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) was buried, it was the first Islamic Mosque built in Madina after Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) and his followers migrated to it. The earlier architectures of this Mosque were made of mud-bricks and palm fronds, the columns were made of palm trunks, the area in which Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) was buried is still surrounded with decorated palm sticks. The houses of Prophet Mohammed's (Peace be upon him) wives were made of palm leaves and palm trunks in addition to mud-bricks (El-Nadawi, 1994).

Many authors were treated of the uses of date palm in folk medicine; some of these preparations were cited in old medicinal dictionaries, some others still handled in rural areas everywhere in Arab region. Among these authors were Qabani (1973); Darby, et al (1977); El Gameli (1983); Qudama (1985); Manniche (1989); Aref(1991); Famuyiwa, et al (1992); Abd El Hamed (1994) and Abd El Salam and Askar (1994). Based on these references some common folk preparations of dates are cited here.

The decoction of the fruit was used to treat bronchitis, cough and colitis as well as its uses as expectorant. In addition to its uses as an emollient, in gout and blood pressure cases.

1. Tamr is remedy for potassium deficiency diseases; Tamr is a general restorative if eaten as a daily food. Tamr treats the cardiac disorder especially after diarrhea and vomiting or after diuretic medications.

2. Tamr as lactagogue: Tamr containing Potassium; Glycine and Threonine; which activate the milk hormone (prolactin). Tamr acts as lactagogue if it is used in daily feeding of a woman in her lactation period.

3. Tamr as aphrodisiac:

i. Remedy of tamr mixed with milk and cinnamon is aphrodisiac and activates the formation of sexual desire.

ii. A breakfast meal composed of black bread and cooked yolk (seven eggs) with 100 gram Agua (or tamr ý) and 15 gram margarine is aphrodisiac food. This breakfast must follow with a cup of milk or carrot juice thus activates the sexual behavior.

4. Date and tumors: Feeding on tamr increase the body immunity and resistance to cancer diseases. Estron hormone is extracted from date kernels (seeds) and treated chemically to obtain 'stradiol' which can be used for cancer treatment.

5. Date and abscesses: A remedy of warm Agua paste (or tamr paste) and margarine is applied externally on the abscesses. The remedy is analgesic and a local antipyretic.

(Continued)