How many dates would Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) have at iftar?

Is there any mention in Hadith as to how many dates did Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) consume at the time of iftar?

Answer

Imam Abu Ya’la (rahimahullah) has recorded a narration which states Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would have three dates at the time of iftar.

Sayyiduna Anas ibn Malik (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports: “Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) liked to open his fast with three dates or anything that was not [cooked] on fire.”

(Musnad Abi Ya’la, Hadith: 3305)

‘Allamah Haythami (rahimahullah) has declared a narrator weak.

(Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 5 pg. 155. Also see: Faydul Qadir, Hadith: 6997)

Note: This Hadith states Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) liked/loved to open his fast with three dates. It does not mean that three dates were always available. There were times when Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) only had water to open his fast.

See here and here.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar