26/06/2025
**The Prophetic Way of Eating Dates!**
The Prophet ﷺ would place the pit of the date on the surface of his palm between his middle and index fingers, then throw it away without touching it with his fingertips or placing it in his palm. This prophetic guidance is mentioned in a hadith narrated by Muslim in his Sahih, Ahmad in his Musnad, and others.
In this noble etiquette, we see beautiful morals and cleanliness. He does not keep the pit on his fingertips because it has mixed with saliva, and if he puts his hand into the dates to take another one, he might touch another date that someone else will eat. He also does not place it in his palm because he might shake hands with someone or hold something.
There is no doubt that the saliva of the Prophet ﷺ is blessed, and the companions do not mind; rather, they wish to have their hands touched by his or to have something from his pure and purified sweat or saliva. However, he serves as a role model for people, wanting to teach his nation the etiquette of eating and to be considerate of others' feelings.
Where is this refined etiquette today at our tables? Have we searched our heritage for such manners that our Messenger taught us over 1,400 years ago? We are a civilized nation in all aspects because our guidance comes from Allah, but oh, how I wish my people would understand!
