The Nakhl

The majestic date palm or nakhl, is a symbol of resilience and magnanimity in the Arabian desert. The tall tree stands proud in the blazing heat giving succor to the weary traveler, providing him shelter under its huge leaves and nourishment from its sweet delectable fruit. It is known as the most noble of all plants, one of the trees of jannat.

We all know of the nakhl: its roots are spread in our culture regardless that we may be living thousands of miles away from Arabia. The nakhl or khajoori as we know it brings to mind many historical accounts: from the familiar nakhl of Medina that Jabir saw, to the khajoori that was home to the pigeon before she was settled in Baitullah; from the khajooris that bowed low when the janaza of Amir ul mumineen ^(SA) passed by to the khajoori upon which Husain Imam ^(SA) rested before shahadat.

The Nakhl in the Quran

The Quran e Majeed mentions the date tree many more times than any other plant or fruit. In fact when nabaat (plants) is spoken of in the Quran, the nakhl is mentioned by name.

• The date tree is mentioned 20 times in the Quran e Majeed.

 The nakhl finds mention among the ‘ayats speaking of beautiful gardens;

 وَ نـَزَّلنَا  مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مَاءً مُبَارَكًا فَاَنٍّبَتٍّنَا بــِهِ جَنَّاتٍ وَ حَبَّ الحَصِيد*وَالنَّخلَ بَاسِقَاتٍ لَهَا طَلع نـَضِيٍّد

_{(Surat e Qaf)}

• The nakhl plays an important role in the ecology of desert environments. It is an irreplaceable tree in the irrigable desertland, providing protection to undercrops from the harsh climate. Each part of the date palm has a useful purpose.

  و َمِنٍّ ثَمَرَاتِ النَّخِيٍّلِ وَالاَعٍّنَابِ تـَتَّخِذُوٍّنـَهَا سَكَرًا وَ رِزٍّقًا حَسَنًا

The Quran e Majeed states that the date is a means of livelihood.

Trade in dates was a means of livelihood for the people of the region. In addition the tree itself yielded a variety of products for use in agricultural production and for utensils.

The Nakhl as Medicine

Allah instructed Maulatuna Maryam ^(AS) to eat dates at child birth

وَ هُزِّي اِلَيٍّكِ بــِجِذعِ النَّخٍّلَةِ تُسَاقِط عَلَيٍّكِ رُطَبًا جَنِيًّا

_{(Surat e Maryam)} 

• Amir ul mumineen ^(SA) says there is nothing better for a woman in nifaas (child birth) than the rutab (type of dates), for Allah fed Maryam ^(AS) rutab in her nifaas.

 Rasulullah (SAW) says:

• The Ajwah is from Jannat.

• Eating 7 tamar at night before sleeping, cures colic and kills worms.

• Imam Jafar us Sadiq ^(SA) advises that eating tamar after eating fish will counter its ill effects

Other medicinal uses include the treatment of bronchitis, tumors, poisonous bites, skin allergies and depression. Studies have shown that people who consume dates regularly show an extremely low incidence of cancer and heart disease.

Special Characteristics

The nakhl, although a plant, has characteristics similar to those of animals.

•      It is a dioecious plant: each tree is either a male or a female and needs to be pollinated in order to reproduce. The male tree produces the pollen and the female produces the fruit.

•      Severing the head of a palm tree will cause it to die.

•      Removing the terminal bud, more commonly known as the heart of the palm, causes it to rot and die.

The date palm and its fruit have had a long history of religious significance and tradition. To this day the traditions of Rasulullah (SAW) and Ahl e Bayt (AS) are upheld by the Duat Mutlaqeen (RA); today mumineen across the world have khajoor for iftaar in Shehrullah and Eid ul Fitr and mumenaat take shifa ni kharak from Aqa Moula (TUS) to ease delivery.