The Two Black Things: The Prophet ﷺ and His Family Lived on Them for Months – What Were They?

The two black things (al-Aswadan) are dates and water, as authentically narrated in the Sahihayn.

From ʿUrwah, from ʿĀ’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her), who said to her nephew:

“We used to look at the new moon, then another, then another—three crescents in two months—and no fire was lit in the houses of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. I asked, ‘My aunt, what sustained you?’ She replied: The two black things: water and dates.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

Scholars’ Explanation

• Abu ʿUbayd al-Qāsim ibn Sallām, in Gharib al-Hadith, explained: Her saying “the two black things” (al-Aswadan)—the blackness applies to dates specifically, not water. Yet both were described together by the quality of one. The Arabs would do this when two things are paired closely, calling them both by the name of the more prominent one. For example, two inseparable friends may be referred to by the name of one; or “the two ʿUmars” (Sunnat al-ʿUmrayn), meaning Abu Bakr and ʿUmar.
• Ibn al-Athir, in al-Nihayah fi Gharib al-Hadith wal-Athar, said: They are dates and water. The dates of Madinah were mostly black, and water was added to it and described by its attribute, in line with the Arabic custom of naming two companions by the more dominant of the pair—like “the two moons” or “the two ʿUmars.”

Benefits of Dates

Beyond their place in the Sunnah and the Prophet’s ﷺ blessed life, dates (tamr) offer remarkable health benefits:

• Help regulate blood sugar when 3–7 dates are eaten daily.
• Aid in weight management by reducing appetite.
• Relieve constipation naturally.
• Rich in iron, they help treat anaemia.
• Provide energy and support healthy digestion.
• Strengthen the nervous system thanks to calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium.
• Assist women during labour, as they contain oxytocin-like compounds that help regulate contractions.
• Reduce inflammation and help with conditions like rheumatism.
• Offer protection against cancer.
• Regular intake (around seven dates daily) supports memory, concentration, and overall cognitive health.

Conclusion

The two black things—dates and water—were enough to sustain the Prophet ﷺ and his noble family for months. This Prophetic simplicity teaches us lessons in patience, contentment, and reliance on Allah. At the same time, modern science continues to affirm the immense benefits of dates, making them a blessed food for both body and soul.

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