Why are dates and water referred to as ‘Al Aswadan- i.e Two black things’?
Answer
The commentators explain, since dates and water are usually consumed together, and the dates are of a larger quantity than water, the Arabs would use one word to refer to both even though the dates only are black. The commentators have also cited other examples like this. The Arabic term for such is: ‘taghlib’
(Refer: Fathul Bari and ‘Umdatul Qari, Hadith: 2567)
Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) writes:
قوله الأسودان التمر والماء هو على التغليب وإلا فالماء لا لون له ولذلك قالوا الأبيضان اللبن والماء وإنما أطلقت على التمر أسود لأنه غالب تمر المدينة
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar