Author: Dr. Raza Abdullah Pasha (ḥafiẓahullāh)
What is the connection between dates and protection from magic?
It is narrated from Saʿd ibn Abī Waqqāṣ (RA) that he said:
“I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say:
«من تصبح سبع تمرات لم يضره ذلك اليوم سم ولا سحر»
‘Whoever eats seven dates in the morning (on an empty stomach), no poison or magic will harm him that day.’”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 5130]
In another narration of Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, the wording includes “until the night.”
Also, in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, it is narrated from ʿĀmir ibn Saʿd (RA) that he said:
“I heard Saʿd (RA) say that I heard the Prophet ﷺ say:
«من أكل سبع تمرات ما بين لابتيها حين يصبح كم يضره سم حتى يمسي»
‘Whoever eats seven dates from between the two mountains of Madīnah in the morning, no poison will harm him until the evening.’”
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 2047]
This shows the special barakah (blessing) and protective power Allah ﷻ placed in the dates of Madīnah, particularly the ʿAjwah variety.
Question:
What is the connection between dates and protection from magic?
Answer:
It is narrated from Saʿd ibn Abī Waqqāṣ (RA) that he said:
“I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say:
«من تصبح سبع تمرات لم يضره ذلك اليوم سم ولا سحر»
‘Whoever eats seven dates in the morning (on an empty stomach), no poison or magic will harm him that day.’”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 5130]
In another narration of Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, the wording includes “until the night.”
Also, in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, it is narrated from ʿĀmir ibn Saʿd (RA) that he said:
“I heard Saʿd (RA) say that I heard the Prophet ﷺ say:
«من أكل سبع تمرات ما بين لابتيها حين يصبح كم يضره سم حتى يمسي»
‘Whoever eats seven dates from between the two mountains of Madīnah in the morning, no poison will harm him until the evening.’”
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 2047]
Key Points:
- These aḥādīth specifically mention ʿAjwah dates of Madīnah as a means of protection from poison and magic.
- Some narrations mention any dates of Madīnah between its two lava hills.
- Certain scholars have also held the opinion that any kind of dates can bring this protective benefit.
- And Allah knows best.
This shows the special barakah (blessing) and protective power Allah ﷻ placed in the dates of Madīnah, particularly the ʿAjwah variety.