We are very close to entering into the best of months, Ramadan. It’s a time where we come to experience what we crave the preceding eleven months for, we truly feel like one united Ummah. From the furthest corners of the world, Muslims will sit down at Dusk to break their fasts with the humble date. But are we aware of where these dates are grown?

Pretty soon we’ll be exchanging messages of Ramadan Kareem or Ramadan Mubarak, to congratulate and inform one another that this blessed month is upon us. Insh’Allah (God willing) we’ll offer our obligatory prayers, and spend more in the way of charity, and increase our good deeds, and offer extra acts of worship.

During these days we’ll fine tune our empathy, from a physical and spiritual point of view with our fellow Muslims who are less fortunate than us. Over 1 billion Muslims the world over, will rise to perform one of the five pillars of faith, to keep fast (Saum) from dawn to dusk.

As a Sunnah, an act carried out by the Prophet Muhammed Sall? llahu alayhi wa sallam, we break our fast with the consumption of the date. This not only reminds us of what our beloved Prophet and his companions, the Sahaba, Radhi Allahu Anhum would have done, but also teaches us of the scarcity of food in the Arabian peninsula 1400 years ago (it has also been scientifically proven that dates are a great source of energy, and do wonders to pep-up low blood sugar levels!)

From the furthest corners of the world, Muslims will sit down at Dusk to break their fasts with the humble date.

But are we aware of where these dates are grown? In recent years we have seen a growth of Israeli grown dates landing on the shelves of Muslim owned stores, purchased by Muslims….and consumed by Muslims.

To some people this may be nothing to worry about, but think about this. Is there really any point in fasting if on the other hand you are providing the state of Israel with money which will inevitably kill and oppress your fellow innocent Muslims in Palestine?

This is not a question of haraam or halaal but it’s a question of what is appropriate. Is it appropriate that we purchase products from the very people that stole our lands, slaughtered and forcibly removed our people from their lands, leaving the remainder that stayed virtually imprisoned?

As if that wasn’t bad enough we buy their products and effectively contribute to maintaining the status quo in the occupied territories of Palestine.

We cannot justify this dereliction of a simple duty by proclaiming “there was no other choice”. Israel is one of the smallest exporters of dates to the EU, with a market share in the region of 7% (www.fao.org), whilst Tunisia has a 50% share.

It is prohibitively disliked (makruh tahriman) to trade with those at war with Muslims in any way that strengthens them in their war, as long as the enmity remains. As for that which does not aide them in their war with Muslims, it is not prohibitively disliked to trade with them.

So how to identify Israeli dates?

One of the largest Israeli date producers (www.hadiklaim.com) no longer publicises its Israeli origin on their products, through its various brands including Jordan River / King Solomon and there is also the Carmel brand. These dates are also sold loose in shops so be wary and do not buy any loose dates. Check the country of origin of any packaged dates. If do you see shops selling Israeli dates, register you disapproval with the owner of the shop and tell your friends and family about it. Many businessmen in our community crave respectability but this should not be achieved at the expense of damaging the Palestinians. The large supermarkets also sell Israeli dates. Check the country of origin. If a country is not stated, boycott the goods.

Spending your hard earned money the right way is at the very least a highly recommended form of economic jihad. It is the best way, the way of caution.

So instead of always reacting to a situation, let’s be pro-active for a change. Let this forthcoming month of Ramadan not be just about staying hungry but about showing a real sense of solidarity with Muslims across the world.

Next time you're shopping in your local Muslim-owned store, educate them on this subject and let’s put a stop to compromising the ideals of this holy month and Insh’Allah all our Ramadan experiences will fare better for it. Please see our leaflet here.

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