The ruling on breaking the fast with dates in Ramadan

Question:
Your Excellency the Shaykh, may Allah bless you and make your knowledge beneficial. We ask your permission to pose some questions. This questioner says: What is the ruling on breaking the fast in Ramadan with fresh or dry dates?

Answer:
It is a recommended practice (sunnah). It is best for the Muslim to break his fast with dates; this is the best thing, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to break his fast with fresh dates. That is, if there are fresh dates when the palm fruit first ripens, those are fresh dates. If he does not find fresh dates, he breaks his fast with dry dates, meaning dry, dried dates. If he does not find those, he takes a few sips of water, meaning he drinks three small cups of water and breaks his fast with that, because dates are good and water is good. The first things to reach the stomach after fasting are these two good things: the sweet, which is the date, and the pure water. If he does not find dates or fresh dates, he breaks his fast with whatever food is available to him, and this takes the place of dates if he does not find them. But dates are better, because some people today vary their iftar, spread out the tables, and offer a variety of foods. There is nothing wrong with that; this is what Allah has made permissible. But strive for dates, strive for dates, for it is the recommended practice (sunnah) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) encouraged. Then, after that, eat from whatever else is available. Yes.