10.6.08

The One About The Fig And The Date

The early Muslim community while protecting itself from hostile 'enemies' (not Jews or Christians, but for the most part idol worshippers who resented them cutting into their business trade by doing away with idol worship) would often find themselves enjoying the spoils of war. While the spoils were gathered to and meted out by the Prophet, he (PBUH) rarely ever kept even enough to feed his own household and he would not ask for charity from others when his supplies ran low, but that didn't keep the needy from going to him to ask.

So sometimes charity was a simple smile, a kind word, or what amounted to dispensing or swapping local fruits.

Having given you the set up, here is the one about the Fig and the Date:

Mohammed (PBUH): Who gives a Fig? Who needs a Date?

See, it's only funny in English.