Tirmidhi

1:
Although in terms of wording its chain of narration is not authentic,
yet in practice this hadith is established through other routes.

2:
This hadith indicates that if dates are available at the time of breaking the fast (iftar), then one should break the fast with dates, because they strengthen the stomach, fortify the nerves, and are the best substitute for the weaknesses that occur in the body. If dates are not available, then breaking the fast with water is better. The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to break his fast with fresh dates; if fresh dates were not available, he would break his fast with dry dates, and if those too were not available, he would break his fast with a few sips of water.
To break the fast with anything else, such as salt, etc., with the intention of reward or virtue, is an innovation (bid‘ah) that has been invented by the religious leaders (mullahs).

Note:

(al-Rabab Umm al-Raih are lenient in hadith,
besides al-Tirmidhi, this hadith has also been authenticated by Ibn Khuzaymah and Ibn Hibban,
al-Albani initially authenticated it, but later included it among the weak narrations in al-Jami‘ al-Saghir (no. 369). See:
Taraaj‘ al-Albani no. 132 and Irwa’ no. 922)

1:
In which there is mention of the intermediary of Rabaab.

Note:

Also see number: 695. The first phrase, related to fasting, is (weak).
In the chain of narration, Rabaab,
Umm al-Raih is “len al-hadith” (soft in narration),
and the second phrase, related to charity, is authentic.
Refer to al-Albani: 132,
and al-Siraj al-Munir: 1873, 1874.

Benefits and Issues:
➊ This command is one of instruction and encouragement, not one of obligation.
Therefore, the fast may be broken with any food or drink.
➋ Muslims should make an effort to include dates, such a blessed fruit, as a part of their dining table.
This blessing is not only a delicious and sweet fruit, but it can also serve as a substitute for food.
Western civilization has given much fame to the apple, which is certainly a great and pure blessing from Allah, but the virtue that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) has given to the date is not possessed by any other fruit. For this reason, its cultivation should also be increased.
➌ Just as Muslims are diligent in observing the outward Sunnahs related to eating, drinking, and dressing, so too should they give even greater attention to the spiritual matters of creed and action.
➍ For the chain of narration discussions of this hadith, see Irwa’ al-Ghalil, Hadith: 922.

Benefits and Issues:
➊
“Tamr” refers to dried dates. In another hadith of Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi, breaking the fast with “rutab” (fresh dates) in addition to dried dates is also mentioned. See: (Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi, Kitab as-Sawm, Hadith: 696)

➋
Breaking the fast with dates is superior because it is a blessed fruit, and water is associated with purity and cleanliness. Fasting is a means of spiritual purification, and water is for outward purification; due to this connection, breaking the fast with water is also recommended (mustahabb).

Benefits and Issues 536:
➊ This hadith proves that if possible, one should break the fast with dates, because dates strengthen the stomach, reinforce the nerves, and compensate for the weakness that occurs in the body. If dates are not available, then breaking the fast with water is better.

➋ The Noble Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to break his fast with dates. If fresh dates were not available, he would break his fast with dry dates. If those too were not available, then he would break his fast with a few sips of water. [جامع الترمذي ، الصوم ، باب ماجاء ما يستحب عليه الأِفطار ، حديث : 696]

➌ Imam Ibn al-Qayyim (rahimahullah) writes that in breaking the fast with dates or water, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) demonstrated perfect compassion and goodwill towards his ummah, because eating something sweet on an empty stomach is very beneficial for the stomach. Along with this, the rest of the organs also gain strength. Especially, the faculty of vision benefits greatly. Similarly, the benefit of water is that fasting causes dryness in the liver, and if it receives moisture through water, it derives much benefit from the food eaten afterwards. Moreover, only specialists in heart diseases truly know the particular qualities of dates and water, and how much they contribute to the health of the heart. [زادالمعاد : 160/1]

Narrator of the Hadith:
Hazrat Salman bin Amir (radi Allahu anhu), his lineage is as follows: Salman bin Amir bin Uwais bin Hajar bin Amr bin Harith al-Dhabbi, he is a well-known companion. He resided in Basra. During the lifetime of the Noble Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), he was already elderly. He lived until the caliphate of Muawiyah (radi Allahu anhu). According to one opinion, he was martyred in the Battle of Jamal. At that time, he was one hundred years old. According to another opinion, besides him, there was no other companion from the Dhabbi tribe.