Dates during Ramadan
Dates during Ramadan – what is the significance of dates during Ramadan?
What is Ramadan?
Ramadan – almost everyone has heard of it and has a general idea of what it's about. But why do people fast? What happens at the end of Ramadan? And what is the significance of dates during Ramadan?
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. During Ramadan, Muslims worldwide fast from sunrise to sunset, abstaining from food, drink, and smoking. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. The fact that it falls on a different date each year is due to the lunar calendar, which shifts the date by ten or eleven days annually.
Obligations and exceptions during Ramadan
Ramadan is firmly anchored in the Quran and is one of the religious obligations of Muslims. The Quran states: „O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you.“ (Surah 2:183-187) However, there are exceptions. Only those Muslims who are physically and mentally able to endure fasting are obligated to do so.
Exemptions include pregnant women, travelers, and the sick and elderly. These groups can make up the fast later or perform an alternative act of service. One such alternative is feeding those who are fasting. Although fasting is an integral part of the Muslim faith, the personal circumstances of believers are taken into consideration.
Food before and after fasting
Suhoor (breakfast) is a traditional part of Ramadan. Devout Muslims eat their breakfast before sunrise. Dates are often eaten at suhoor. The appropriate time for suhoor depends on sunrise and therefore on the time of year. In summer, breakfast can sometimes be as early as 5 a.m.
While breakfast is usually a family affair, in the evening, after sunset, friends and family meet for a communal dinner (Iftar).
Breaking the fast begins with dates during Ramadan.
Dates, also known as the „bread of the desert,“ are an essential part of Iftar. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) himself advocated breaking the fast with a date. Most Muslims still follow the example of their Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). They eat an odd number of dates and drink plenty of water or milk with them.
It's not always easy for the stomach to transition from fasting to a rich meal. That's why dates serve as a way to prepare it for what it will soon have to do again. Dates are easily digestible and, when fresh, provide the body with plenty of fluids.
Medical professionals agree that fasting has a positive effect on the human body. Fasting during the day can trigger numerous bodily processes that are beneficial to health. However, digestion should be restarted gradually and gently. The Quran emphasizes in numerous passages the importance of caring for the body and treating it with care.
Benevolence during Ramadan
Good deeds have a long tradition during Ramadan. The aim is to abstain from all evil and wrongdoing and to maintain contact with the community. This includes, among other things, bringing food to those in need. Dates play a significant role in this tradition. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) explained that whoever gives something to a needy person, even if it is only dates with which they can break their fast, will receive the same reward, without any reduction for the fasting person. This is also one reason why, in many predominantly Muslim countries, wealthy Muslims host feasts for the poor and needy in their city. Dates are also given to sick people as a sign of solidarity.
Eid al-Fitr
With the end of Ramadan comes the Islamic holiday known in Arabic as Eid al-Fitr. This festival marking the end of the fast is also called the Sugar Feast. Similar to other religions, children receive sweets and gifts. However, it is also a celebration for adults. They rejoice in having successfully completed the fasting of Ramadan and ask Allah to acknowledge their prayers and efforts. For this reason, the Sugar Feast begins on the first day with the Eid prayer. For this, the faithful dress festively and gather for a communal prayer at the mosque. Afterward, they meet with relatives and friends and celebrate the festivities together with gifts, sweets, and abundant food.
Dates for the fasting month of Ramadan
In our online shop we offer you various popular date varieties such as Ajwa, Medjool, Sukkari, Safawi, Deglet Nour and Mabroom. Particularly popular during the fasting month of Ramadan are the sugary-sweet Sukkari dates and the juicy Medjool dates.
Our Sukkari dates are offered at the superfresh ripeness level (Rotab). They have a caramel-like flavor and a creamy texture. With their numerous vitamins and minerals, they are particularly beneficial to the body during Lent.
Our Medjool dates come directly from Palestine (Palestinian Territory). They are particularly large and juicy, but not too sweet. At the same time, they have a high vitamin and mineral content. Therefore, they are among the dates that are often eaten during Ramadan.
Pre-order Ramadan dates
To ensure you have your dates in time for the month of fasting, we are already offering you the option to pre-order.
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