Several references to date palms can be found in the Hadith (sayings of the Prophet). 'Abdullah b. Umar reported that Allah's Messenger (PBUH) said:
"'There is a tree amongst trees, the leaves of which do not wither and that is like a Muslim; tell me which that (tree) can be?' The people began to think of the trees of the forest. Abdullah said: I thought that it could be the date-palm tree, but I felt hesitant (to say that). They (the Companions) then said: Allah's Messenger, (kindly) tell us which that can be? Thereupon he said: 'It is the date-palm tree.'"
Dates are essential food items during Ramadan, the holy month of fasting. Muslims follow the manner of the Prophet by breaking their fast with dates. Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) said: "How excellent are dates as the believers Suhoor." [Abu Dawood, Ibn Hibban and AlBaihaqee, Sahih]
Dates are great sources of iron, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulphur, copper and phosphorous. They are also rich in natural fibers and contain many vitamins such as thiamine, riboflavin, biotin, folic and ascorbic acid. Dates are used to make syrups, jams, ice creams, soft drinks and a host of other products.
Dates have also been known for their medicinal purposes. They were a source of nutrition for early Muslims who engaged in battles and helped serve as a muscle stimulant. Many early Muslims, including the Prophet (PBUH), survived for days on just dates and water. In more recent times, studies have shown that bedouin Arabs who consume dates on a regular basis show an extremely low incidence rate of cancer and heart disease. Researchers continue to explore the many uses of the date palm, which according to Arab tradition number 360 possible uses. Some of the medicinal uses include the treatment of bronchitis, tumors, hemorrhoids, poisonous bites, night blindness, skin allergies, anxiety, depression and many others.
It is said that Moorish tribes from Arabia eventually brought date palms across North Africa to Spain. Seeds of the date palm eventually spread from Spain to the Caribbean, Brazil and throughout the Pacific Coast up toward Mexico. The date palm was first imported on a larger scale into the United States in the 1890s, specifically into the Coachella Valley in California.
There are 100 million date palms in the world today with more than half located in the Arab World. Egypt and Saudi Arabia are the largest producers of dates and other producers include Algeria, Iran, Iraq, and Pakistan. In the United States, cultivation occurs mainly in the desert valleys of Arizona and California. More than 90 percent of the commercial date acreage in the United States is planted in California with most in the Coachella Valley.
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