Muslims generally break their fast by eating dates. The Beloved Prophet Muhammad, May Allah Bless him and grant him Peace, is reported to have said: "if anyone of you is fasting, let him break his fast with dates.''

Dates are also rich in natural fibres.

Modern medicine has shown that they are effective in preventing abdominal cancer. They also surpass other fruits in the sheer variety of their constituents. They contain oil, calcium, sulphur, iron, potassium, phosphorous, manganese, copper and magnesium.

In other words, one date is a minimum of a balanced and healthy diet. Arabs usually combine dates with milk and yogurt or bread, butter and fish. This combination indeed makes a self-sufficient and tasty diet for both mind and body.

Dates and date palms have been mentioned in the Noble Qur'an 20 times, thus showing their importance. The Beloved Prophet Muhammad, May Allah Bless him and grant him Peace, likened a good Muslim to the date palm, saying, "Among trees, there is a tree like a Muslim. Its leaves do not fall."