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American-Eurasian J. Agric. & Environ. Sci., 16 (5): 842-851, 2016 ISSN 1818-6769 © IDOSI Publications, 2016 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.aejaes.2016.16.5.12900

Ethnobotanical and Religious Importance of the Quranic -Nakhl ( dactylifera L.) Review

1Sarfaraz Khan Marwat, 21 Wahid Bakhsh, Shoaib, 1Ejaz Khan, 311 Fazal-ur-Rehman, Sadaf Javaria and Ghazanfar Ullah

1Faculty of Agriculture, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, KPK, 2Department of , Islamic Studies and Research, Gomal University Dera Ismail Khan, KPK, Pakistan 3Faculty of Pharmacy, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, KPK, Pakistan

Abstract: Nakhl is the Arabic name of Phoenix dactylifera L. (Date palm) which belongs to Family (Palmae). It has been cultivated as an important crop in the dried areas in the countries of , and since long. Its significance has been revealed by the fact that this fruit and its blessed palm find mention in the Holy more than 20 times. Our Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) urged to eat dates as it is the world’s only 100% complete and balanced . The fruit of date palm has been widely used as laxative. It is great remedy for intestinal disturbances, alcoholic intoxication, sexual weakness, abdominal, lung and oral cavity cancer, anemia, toothache etc. The say that there are as many uses of dates as there are days in a year. The trunk and wood of date palms can be used as timber, wood, or fuel. The leaves can be made into bags, baskets, mats, paper, hot pots, ropes, trays, fans etc. In view of the importance of this study comprehensive detailed data was collected from the Holy Quran, Ahadith`s books and scientific literature.

Key words: Nakhl Quranic plant Ethnomedicine Palm

INTRODUCTION centuries. It is a major earnings resource and food regularly consumed by the inhabitants of several date Nakhl is the Arabic name of Phoenix dactylifera L. grower countries and has taken an important part in the (Date palm) which belongs to Family Arecaceae (Palmae). financial system, humanity and impression of those It is a dioecious (rarely monoecious) palm, bearing usually countries [5]. single stem (Fig. 4A) with many offshoots (Fig. 4B) which In human history, P. dactylifera (Date Palm) has a sprout from the base [1]. As Phoenicians (they were significant role. Its usefulness is proved by about 23 times people of ancient civilization who settled along the shore citation of its fruit and plant in the holy Quran and about of the eastern Mediterranean), were presumed to have 300 times in the Ahadith of the Holy Prophet Muhammad spread date palms, so the genus was called Phoenix after (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) [6]. The Holy Quran in verse their name. Its specific name, dactylifera was assigned to no. 25 of Sura says: “And shake the trunk of the it on the basis of its own meaning, “date bearing” (from date palm towards you, it will let fall fresh ripe-dates Greek dactylos, date and fero, bear) [2, 3, 4]. upon you” [7]. Date (Nakhl) has been cultivated as a significant Our Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi fruit crop in the dried areas in the countries of Wasallam) advised Muslims to eat dates as they are the Arabian Peninsula, Middle East and North Africa since world’s only 100% full and balanced diet. They could be long. It was also established in countries like Australia, used as a primary energy source for acquiring the greatest , Pakistan, , Southern Africa and United energy by every age group, so that to recover the lost States as well as in South America in the last three energies [8].

Corresponding Author: Sarfaraz Khan Marwat, Faculty of Agriculture, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, KPK, Pakistan 842 Am-Euras. J. Agric. & Environ. Sci., 16 (5): 842-851, 2016

Table 1: Local names of Date Palm in various languages Name of language Name for date palm Arabic Balah, Tamr Czech Palma Dutch dadel English Date palm, Edible date palm, palm tree, ripe date, dried date French Palmier, palmier dattier German Palme, dattel Italian Palma, l'albero della palma, datteri; or dattero Pashto Khajoora [9] Portuguese Palmeira, tamara Romanian Palmier Spanish Palmera | palma | cococtero, datil Swedish Palmträd Turkish Palmiye, hurmaa ac Urdu Khajoor [9, 10, 11]

History: Date palms are among the earliest well Africa, to - where it is still grown in the east, a recognized bearing which have been grown reminder of the period of Arab domination - and to in the countries of Middle East and North Africa for about Western [17]. 5000-6000 years [12]. But most probably it started 4000 BC from the earliest region (Southern ) or Description: Date Palm (P. dactylifera) tree is a high in Western India [13]. According to another account in this length, planted in the soil of loam of sand. As date palm regard which is based on pre-Islamic archaeology, it has is monocotyledonous, its root system is adventitious and been predicted that the date palm was cultivated in south- fibrous. Trunk is erect of about up to 30 m in height, in 2500 BC [12]. having no branches, encircled to some distance by The presence of date fruits in the excavation of remains of the fallen leaves bases, with offshoots Moen-jo-Daro storage containers indicates the existence surrounding the base of the plant. Leaves are smooth, of date palm cultivation in as early as 2000 B.C. shining, greenish in colour, 2.5-5 m in length, with Earlier report also illustrated the old background of dates distichously arranged leaflets; each leaflet is 16-45 x 2 cm, as date cultivation in around 7000 BC and in the tips are sharply pointed, the lower most leaflets are in the Indus Valley during about 2600 to 1900 BC [5, 14]. It is form of spines [18]. The spadix (cluster of flowers) is general concept among scholars that dates were probably enclosed within a spathe (boat shaped bract). Female introduced in Sindh by Forces of Mohammed Bin Qasim cluster of flowers is 90 - 120 cm in length, with 45-75 cm in 712 AD. They threw date at camping places long central flat stalk, green rounded flowers lying during wars from which date palm grew and flourished in distantly. Male cluster of flowers is very small, of 12-25 cm the Indus Valley [15]. in length, sometimes bigger, with 60-90 cm long central As revealed by the information mentioned in the flat, smooth stalk. Fruit is cylindrical, 2.5-5×1-1.5 cm, religious books and literature reports, on the whole, the yellowish-brown to reddish-brown in colour, fleshy, origin of dates is very old. The use of date palm as the edible, with stony seeds which are acute at the apex and sign for a year in Egyptian hieroglyphics and its leaf as a grooved lengthwise on one side [19]. mark for a month in ’s Valley also prove the prehistoric time origin of the date palm [16]. Taxonomic Status Kingdom: Plantae The Prophets , built at around A.D. Subkingdom: Tracheobionta 630, was made almost entirely of palms: the columns and Superdivision: Spermatophyta beams of the trunks and the thatching and prayer mats of Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Liliopsida the leaves. According to one tradition, it was at Medina Subclass: Arecidae that the land was first cultivated by the descendants of Order: Noah after the Flood and it was there that the date was Fmily: Arecaceae Genus: Phoenix first planted. Whether that first planting was in Medina or Species: Dactylifera elsewhere, the date palm soon spread to the coasts of Source: [20]

843 Am-Euras. J. Agric. & Environ. Sci., 16 (5): 842-851, 2016

Cultivars of Date Palms in Muslim Countries: Dates are in Date Fruit: Date fruits are high-energy food an iconic part of Muslim culture and one of the few fruits source with 72% to 88% content at maturity. mentioned repeatedly in the holy Quran. In fact, dates During the Khalal stage, nearly all (80% to 85%) of the production is mainly concentrated in the Muslim world sugar is . As ripening progresses, the sucrose is especially the Middle East. Very large number of varieties hydrolyzed into reduced such as and of date fruit is found in the countries of Arabian . They are a good source of iron and ; Peninsula, Middle East and North Africa [5] and Pakistan a fair source of calcium, chlorine, , and [15]. But the exact numbers are unknown [5]. They have sulfur; and a minor source of . In addition, been increased and spread by thousands of years of they are a source of 16 amino acids and A, B1 research. There are about 400 cultivars in , 370 in Iraq, and B2 [5, 25, 26]. 250 in , 244 in , as well as many extra Dates are also rich in (6.4%–11.5%), cultivars in other major date growing countries. More than which further improves their nutritional value and 300 varieties of dates are cultivated in Khairpur and Sindh, therapeutic utility. The growth conditions of different Pakistan. While Popenoe cited 1, 500 explanations of the regions induce several external and internal changes in date fruit and palm, their history and significance of the the dates. Such changes are often classified on the basis most important, country by country, in his book, The Date of observed differences in the color and chemical Palm [15]. composition of date fruits. For instance, the nutritional quality of dates varies among varieties grown in , Table 2: Showing some of the date cultivars which are existed in the Egypt, and Bahrain [27]. Muslim world Name Country name References Ethnobotanical Uses of Dates and Date Palms: Date Amir Mandali -Iraq [5, 10]. palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is the most successful Aseel Pakistan [15, 21]. Barhi Iraq [5, 10]. and commercially important crop in the hot-arid Begum Jangi Pakistan [15, 21] regions of the world, e.g., , Emirates and Bomaan UAE [22] Egypt etc. In these countries, date palm products are Dhakki Pakistan [15, 21] commonly used for human and animal consumption, Dayri Iraq [10]. pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, carpentry and firewood Deglet Noor Algeria, Iraq and Tunisia [5, 10]. [25, 27]. Fardh Oman [23]. Halawy Iraq [5, 10]. Hayany Egypt [5, 10]. Date Fruit: Fruit of Date palm (Fig. 2) is a major earning Iteema Algeria [10]. resource and balance foodstuff for local inhabitants of Khalas Saudi Arabia [24] several date growing states. Dates play an important part Khastawi Iraq [5, 10]. in the financial system, the public and environment of Khadrawy Iraq and Saudi Arabia [5, 10]. those countries [5]. Lulu UAE [22]. Date fruits are used as a food. In the countries of Maktoom Iraq [10]. Medjool Morocco [5, 10]. Middle East and North Africa, dates are used in Khalal Migraf S [10]. (Doka) stage, during which the taste of the fruits is still Muzawati, Pakistan [15]. very bitter and its tannin contents are in high quantity. Reziz Saudi Arabia [24]. However, usually most dates are brought together in Sagay UAE [22]. completely ripened Rutab and Tamar stages, when sugar Saidy' ('Saidi') [5, 10]. contents of the fruit are high and moisture and tannin Sayer Old World [10]. contents are low [5]. Sheshi Saudi 25Arabia [24]. Shikat alkahlas UAE [22]. The fruits can be utilized in making breakfast cereal, Sokkery UAE [22]. pudding, bread, pressed cakes, cookie, candy bars, ice Thoory Algeria [16]. cream and date shakes (a specialty). It can also Zahdi'('Zahidi') Middle East Northern Iraq [5, 10] be used in preparing juice, , , beer, sugar, syrup, , , pickle, paste, dip and food There are numerous additional local varieties found flavoring [28]. Its fruits contain 72% to 88% sugar in different regions that possibly will become more contents at maturity, so they are believed to be high- significant in the future [5]. energy food sources.

844 Am-Euras. J. Agric. & Environ. Sci., 16 (5): 842-851, 2016

Fig. 2: Showing 4 varieties of date fruit: A – Ajwa of Saudia Arab, B - Aseel of Sindh, C- Begun Jangi of Balochistan, D- Dakki date and E-Chohara of Dakki date KPK

Date fruit is source of minerals like iron, potassium, also been made though trunk wood, because of its coarse calcium, chlorine, copper, magnesium and sulfur and a vascular structure, is difficult to cut, finish and polish. minor source of phosphorus as well. In addition, 16 amino Furthermore the trunk was used extensively in the acids and vitamins A, B12 and B are also present in dates supporting structures for water lifting be it in the Egyptian [5]. waterwheel or in the animal drawn water lifting from open Fresh mature dates are used during the yielding wells. And finally, the trunks are also used as firewood season. In addition, dates can be dried or processed and [31]. stored for the rest of the months of the year. It is mostly Leaves offer the most varied end use opportunities used as a earning source. It supplies construction which are discussed by the individual parts in which the materials and its leaves and fibers are used in making leaf can be divided: crates, boxes, ropes and baskets [29]. Whole Leaf: whole leaves are used in fencing and shelter Products of Date Palm: As a result of the long history of [6], or in partitioning in houses. Leaves are further used as cultivation and utilization of date palm, almost every part roofing (Fig. 3G, H) to give shade or for newly planted of the date palm can be used for some purpose. It is said offshoots. They are also used in the first floor or roof that there are as many uses of dates as there are days in cover of house where mud is used in house construction. a year [30]. Whole palm leaves further have a special meaning at Christian and Jewish religious festivals [31]. Trunk: The trunk's main use is for its wood, which has great tensile strength. Its use is therefore geared Midribs: Usually the leaf base is cut off and treated to exploit this characteristic such as for poles, beams, separately whilst the remaining "stick" (still called midrib rafters, lintels, girders, pillars (Fig. 3G), jetties [31] and to simplify nomenclature) when stripped of the spines and light foot bridges (Fig. 3F) [32]. Hollowed out half trunks leaflets is used for different purposes. Soaked in water, are used as conduits (channels) for water, or at shorter straightened and set and held closely together by cross lengths for mangers and troughs. Sawn into coarse members pierced through them, midribs make effective boards they are made up into doors, shutters and building boards of about 50 x 200 cm and used as staircases for houses [31]. Rustic (rural) furniture [6] has partitioning or roofing [16].

845 Am-Euras. J. Agric. & Environ. Sci., 16 (5): 842-851, 2016

Fig. 3: A- Traditional date palm container used as shopping basket, B- Traditional date palm container used to keep make up and lady accessories, C- Traditional date palm container used for harvesting grain crops [29]., D- Traditional date palm hot pot and trays used for keeping bread, E- Traditional mats made up of date palm leaves, F-date palm trunk used as bridge [Author ]. G. Arish palm-leaf and trunk house H. Man is fastening the roof of a date palm leaf house. https://www.google.com.pk/search?q=Arish+PALM+HOUSE&espv

Fig. 4: Date palm offshoots are present at the base of palm [29]

The most widespread use of the midrib is making Leaflets vary in length from about 15 to 100 cm and in crates [5], but also furniture. There is a great variation in breadth from 1 to 6 cm [16]. The number of leaflets on one size and type of the containers, adapted to the specific midrib may be in the range of 120 to 240. purpose [5, 31]. Leaflets are mainly used in plaits which are sewn Starting from these basic operations and with together in a wide array of baskets and sacks, but also increasing artisanal skills a wide variety of containers has mats and smaller articles like fans and hats [32, 33], round emerged, from simple fruit crates, birdcages and chicken tray (changair), hand fan, prayer mat (musalla), large mat coops to double deck twin cages, sometimes with sliding (Fig. 3E)., bread pot (Chabi) (Fig. 3D) groom [32]. For doors, hung on a donkey's, or a camel's back to carry a private use, baskets or bags are often plaited with wide variety of fowl and other produce to the market [29]. coloured leaflets to create colourful designs [32].

846 Am-Euras. J. Agric. & Environ. Sci., 16 (5): 842-851, 2016

By a different technology but using the same raw Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam). Seeds are cut materials, sturdy baskets and vase shaped containers and and erased to give them proper shape of beads and are trays are made. Lids are also made in this way, providing used in making of rosary [8]. a vast array of baskets, vases and depository boxes. Trays made in this way are used for many purposes in Medicinal Uses: The different organs of date palm are the house [5, 6, 8]. Leaflets are also used for making cord. extensively used in traditional medication for the Usually a two-strand cord is made with a thickness of treatment of various troubles which comprise memory about 7 to 10 mm [31]. disorders, fever, inflammation, paralysis, loss of Hand brooms are made from the leaflets by arranging awareness and nervous disorders. Its seeds have been and tying them in flat bundles and the very young white ground into a paste that is efficient in treating ague pinnae shredded into fine fibre and bundled at one end (intermittent fever with chill) [10]. The roots are used to serve as fly whisks. Leaflets are also used as bedding for treat toothache. The gum taken out from the trunk has animals. been successfully used to treat diarrhea and urinary A different use of palm leaflets is the use as a stuffing complaints. Dates are an excellent source of C and material for cushions and mattresses, although rated lower dietary fibers. They also supply and B, different in quality than the widely used "Krena" (crin végétal) minerals and various amino acids. The antioxidants found made from the dwarf palm (Algeria, Morocco). in dates can also assist in decreasing the danger of cancer Other uses of the fruitstalks are as decoration for the and cardiovascular conditions, while ensuring a healthy ceilings in the home, the spikelets are eaten by camels and immune system [36]. the stalk fibre frequently used as coarse sewing thread Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) fruits, an important and as the cores for special types of basket making [31]. component of diet in the dry and semiarid areas of the An important product of the dates is dibs/dibis world [37] are a good source of energy, vitamins and a (date syrup), which is traditionally used with geymer group of elements like phosphorus, iron, potassium and (blocks of thick cream). Dibis also makes a tasty winter a significant amount of calcium. It possesses anticancer, dip when mixed with a sesame paste. Thirteenth-century antimutagenic, antihyperlipidemic, nephroprotective and botanist Ibn al-Baytar mentions that , the southern in vivo antiviral activities and the ability to increase the city in Iraq, was famous for its excellent date syrup. Ibn concentration of testosterone, follicle stimulating alBaytar describes date syrup as a nourishing source of hormone and luteininzing hormone [38]. food, but says it might generate some unhealthy humors. He recommends having with it or lettuce stems Religious Importance of the Date Palm: Nakhl (Date after eating it to remedy this [34]. palm) is among the earliest well recognized fruits bearing plants which has been grown for about 5000 – 6000 years Date Seeds: Date seeds have other nutritional property [12]. It was welcomed in various ancient cultures such as relevant for value-adding. They contain over 60% the Sumerians, Assyrians, Babylonians and Egyptians. , up to 10% and 5% and a Furthermore, it has been mentioned in the three main substantial amount of dietary fiber (6-12%). They also religions. For example, in Quran, the Holy Book of represent a source of sterols, oestrone and some alkali- Muslims, date palm has been cited about 23 times and the soluble polysaccharide. The seeds yield a yellow-green, Ahadith of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, has mentioned moisturizing oil rich in oleic, lauric, myristic and palmitic it about 300 times [6]. Ajwa is a types of dates, cultivated fatty acids, which has been suggested for use in cosmetic, only in Saudi Arabia/Al-Madinah Al-Munawara and pharmaceutical and related specialty products. have significant value in diseases cure. The health Date seeds can also be chemically processed to benefit of Ajwa dates has been documented in as produce up to 65% or burned to produce Saud (R.A) narrated that I heard ’s Apostle saying, charcoal for silversmiths. The seeds are also often strung “If somebody takes seven Ajwa dates in the morning, into necklaces [35]. neither magic nor poison will hurt him that day [2]”. In some of the , mostly in villages, the seeds Moreover, Christian and also honoured it in are used by local people for the recitation of the sacred many religious festivals such as Passover and Palm names of Allah and Durood (invoke Allah’s blessings) on Sunday [6].

847 Am-Euras. J. Agric. & Environ. Sci., 16 (5): 842-851, 2016

References from Holy Quran 1. Surah-2. Al-Baqara, Part 2, Verse 266: Would any of you wish to have a garden with date-palms and vines [7]. 2. Surah-6. Al-An‘âm, Part 7, Verse 99: And out of the date-palm and its spathe come forth clusters of dates hanging low and near [7]. 3. Surah-6. Al-An‘âm, Part 7, Verse 141: And it is He Who produces gardens trellised untrellised and date palms[7]. 4. Surah-13. Ar-Ra‘d, Part 13, Verse 4: And in the earth there are Neighboring tract, and gardens of vines and green crops (fields), and date palms [7]. 5. Surah-16. An-Nahl, Part 14, Verse 11: With it He produces for you corn, olives, date-palms, grapes and every kind of fruits: [39]. 6. Surah-16. An-Nahl, Part 14, Verse 67: And from the fruits of date-palms and grapes, you drive strong drink and goodly provision [7]. 7. Surah-17. Al-Isrâ, Part 15, Verse 91: Or you have a garden of date-palms and grapes and cause rivers to gush forth in their midst abundantly [7]. 8. Surah-18. Al- Khaf, Part 15, Verse 32: And put forward to them the example of two Men: unto one of them We had given two gardens of grapes and We had surrounded both with date-palms; and had put between them green crops (cultivated fields) [7]. 9. Surah-19. Maryam, Part 16, Verse 23: And the pain of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a date-palm[7]. 10. *Surah-19. Maryam, Part 16, Verse 25: And Shake the trunk of the date palm towards you, it will let fall fresh ripe-dates upon you [7]. 11. Surah-20. Tâ-Hâ, Part 16, Verse 71: So I will surely cut off your hands and feet On opposite sides and I will crucify you on the trunks of date-palm [7]. 12. Surah-23.Al-Mu’minun, Part18, Verse19: Then We brought forth for you therewith gardens of Date palms and grapes [7]. 13. Surah-26. Ash-Shu‘ara, Part19, Verse148: And green crops (fields) ans date palms with soft spadix [7]. 14. Surah-36. YâSîn, Part 22, Verse 34: And we have made therein gardens of date-palms and grapes [8]. 15. Surah-36 YâSîn, Part 22, Verse 39: And the moon, We have measured for it mansions (to traverse) till it turns like the old dried curved date stalk[7] 16. Surah-50. Qâf, Part 26, Verse 10: And tall (and stately) palm-trees, with shoots of fruit-stalks, piled one over another” [39]. 17. Surah-54. Al-Qamar, Part 27, Verse 20: Plucking out men as if they were uprooted Stem date-palm [7]. 18. Surah-55. Ar-Rahmân, Part 27, Verse 11: Therein are fruits, date-palms producing sheathed fruit-stalks (enclosing dates) [7]. 19. Surah-55. Ar-Rahmân, Part 27, Verse 68: In them (both) will be fruits and date-palms and pomegranates [7]. 20. Surah-59. Al-Hashar, Part 28, Verse 5: What you (O Muslims) cut down the palm trees (of the enemy) , or you left them standing on their stems, it was by leave of Allah and in order that He might disgrace the Fâsiqun [7]. 21. Surah-69. Al-Hâqqah, Part 29, Verse 7: Which Allah imposed on them for seven nights and eight days in succession, so that you could see men lying overthrown (destroyed), as if they were hollow trunks of date-palm! [7]. 22. Surah 80.Abasa, Part 30, Verses 27-29: And We cause therein the grain to grow and grapes and clover plants (i.e.green fodder for the cattle) and olives and date-palm [7]. *Date 2 times mentioned in verse no. 25 of Sura Maryam

References From Ahadith *In Arabic the word “Qitha” is used for both ‘cucumber-khira’ and ‘snake cucumber-kakri’ [9]. Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (Radiyallahu Anhuma) narrated that The Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Abu Hurayrah (Radiyallahu Anhu) said: “The Wasallam) said, "There is a tree among the trees Prophet of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) which is similar to a Muslim (in goodness). Its leaves distributed dates among His companions. He gave to do not fall. What is that tree? The Prophet (Sallallahu everyone seven dates. Also, He gave me seven Alayhi Wasallam) himself said, “that is the date palm dates” [40]. tree.” [9, 40]. Narrated by Ayesha (Radiyallahu Anha) She said: Hazrat S’ad bin Abi Waqas (Radiyallahu Anhu) “The Messenger of Allah-(Sallallahu Alayhi narrated that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) was eating the water melon with the date” Wasallam) said, "He who eats seven dates of and said the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi Madina (Ajwa dates) every morning, will not be Wasallam) “We break the warm of this (date) by the affected by poison and magic on the day he eats cold of this (water melon); and the cold of this (water them." [9, 40]. melon) by the warm of this (date)” [40]. Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbass (Radiyallahu Anhuma) Hazrat Aysha (Radiyallahu Anha) said that the narrated that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Prophet of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said: Wasallam) said, “The ‘Ajwah is from Paradise and it “The high ajuwah is (the date from highland in is an antidote against poison. The Kamah (truffles) is Madina) a cure and as an antidote” [40]. a type of Manna and its water (extract) cures the eye Hazrat Anas (Radiyallahu Anhu) said: “That the [9]. Prophet of Allah, (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) Abdullah ibn Jaafar (Radiyallahu anhu) says, “I saw did not go out on the day of Fitr (did not go to the Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) eating Eid Square the Eid that celebrated after ) *Qith’a (cucumbers or snake cucumber) with fresh until He ate some dates and he would eaten odd” dates.” [9]. [40]. Hazrat Aisha (Radiyallahu Anha) reports that, Anas (Radiyallahu Anhu) said, I saw the Prophet of “Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) ate Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) combines ripe watermelon with fresh dates.” [9]. dates with (Khirbiz) watermelon [40].

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Table 4: Showing locations of the date palm in various Suras of the Holy Quran S.No. Quranic name Surah No Name of Sura PartNo. Verse.No 1. Nakhiil 2 al-Baqarah (The Cow) 2 266 2. Nakhl 6 al-An„âm (Cattle) 7 99 3. Nakhla 6 al-An„âm (Cattle) 7 41 4. Nakhiilun 13 al-Raad (Thunder) 13 04 5. Nakhiil 16 An-Nahl(The Bee) 14 11 6. Nakhiil 16 An-Nahl(TheBee) 14 67 7. Nakhiil 17 Isra´ (The Night Journey) 15 91 8. Nakhl 18 Khaf (The Cave) 15 32 9. Nakhlah 19 Al-Maryam (Mary) 16 23 10. Nakhlah 19 Al-Maryam (Mary) 16 25 11. Rutab 19 Al-Maryam (Mary) 16 25 12. Nakhlah 20 TaHa 16 71 13. Nakhiil 23 Al-Mumenun (The Believers) 18 19 14. Nakhl 26 Ash-Shu‘ara (The Poets) 19 148 15. Nakhiil 36 YâSîn, 23 34 16. Urjuun 36 YâSîn, 36 39 17. Nakhl 50 Qâf , 26 10 18. Nakhl 54 al-Qamar (The Moon) 27 20 19. Nakhl 55 al- Rahman (The Beneficent) 27 11 20. Nakhl 55 al-Rahman (The Beneficent) 27 68 21. Linah 59 Hashar (The Mobilization) 28 05 22. Nakhl 69 al-Haqah (The Reality) 29 07 23. Nakhl 80 Abasa (He Frowned) 30 29

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