Wash the dates

There is a beautiful Hadith that bears retelling. The Caliph Abu Bakr would every day after the morning prayers go away for a few hours. His friend was intrigued; one day he decided to follow him. He noticed the Caliph enter an obviously poor house. He waited for the Caliph to leave and then went into the house. He saw a blind, infirm woman lying down. He asked her, 'What does this man who comes every day do?' She replied, 'Every morning, he cleans the house, prepares food for me and leaves without talking to me.' The friend was touched.

When the Caliph died, the friend decided he would continue the Caliph's care for the blind woman. So, he went the next day, cleaned the house and prepared food for the infirm woman.

As he was leaving, the woman asked him, 'Has your friend died?' 'Why do you ask?' The woman replied, 'You brought me dates but did not remove the seeds from them.' The friend was overcome with emotion, at the extent of care.


Caring, displaying kindness and concern for others is a virtue that is fast disappearing. We need to realise that each of us needs caring sooner or later. And even if you cannot deseed the dates, you could at least wash and give them to others in need.