Is this specific to Ajwa dates, or does it include all dates?
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The questioner : What is the stronger position regarding Ajwa dates?
The Shaykh : By Allah, I say that if Ajwa dates are available, there is no doubt that they are preferable. If they are not available, a person eats seven dates, and perhaps they will be beneficial. Our Shaykh (may Allah have mercy on him), 'Abd al-Rahman, held the view of generality.
The questioner : All the hadiths are restricted... to the high-quality ones.
The Shaykh : So our Shaykh (may Allah have mercy on him) holds the view of generality, saying that this is general for all dates, and he cites as evidence the generality of the blessing of the date palm and the like. Yes?
The student: And Shaykh Ibn Baz?
The Shaykh : And Shaykh Ibn Baz holds this view. So two of our Shaykhs hold this view. In any case, you eat seven dates of any date. If the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) intended them, then this is the case; otherwise, there is benefit in them, there is no doubt about their benefit. I have tried it.
The questioner : That is, it does not contradict if I say it is general, but specifying seven for something other than what was mentioned in the Shari'ah, is there anything in that?
The Shaykh : No, no. What he did, meaning what he did, is within the scope of the meaning. They say it is within the scope, and the mention of Ajwa is by way of example.
The questioner : For the one who holds the stronger view that it is not included, is it permissible for him to eat five or seven?
The Shaykh : No, he does not eat five or seven. He eats whatever he wants.
The questioner : Without a specific limit?
The Shaykh : Without a specific limit, yes.
The Shaykh : By Allah, I say that if Ajwa dates are available, there is no doubt that they are preferable. If they are not available, a person eats seven dates, and perhaps they will be beneficial. Our Shaykh (may Allah have mercy on him), 'Abd al-Rahman, held the view of generality.
The questioner : All the hadiths are restricted... to the high-quality ones.
The Shaykh : So our Shaykh (may Allah have mercy on him) holds the view of generality, saying that this is general for all dates, and he cites as evidence the generality of the blessing of the date palm and the like. Yes?
The student: And Shaykh Ibn Baz?
The Shaykh : And Shaykh Ibn Baz holds this view. So two of our Shaykhs hold this view. In any case, you eat seven dates of any date. If the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) intended them, then this is the case; otherwise, there is benefit in them, there is no doubt about their benefit. I have tried it.
The questioner : That is, it does not contradict if I say it is general, but specifying seven for something other than what was mentioned in the Shari'ah, is there anything in that?
The Shaykh : No, no. What he did, meaning what he did, is within the scope of the meaning. They say it is within the scope, and the mention of Ajwa is by way of example.
The questioner : For the one who holds the stronger view that it is not included, is it permissible for him to eat five or seven?
The Shaykh : No, he does not eat five or seven. He eats whatever he wants.
The questioner : Without a specific limit?
The Shaykh : Without a specific limit, yes.