Are there any commentaries regarding Sayyidatuna Maryam, peace be upon her, eating and drinking ripe dates (rutab), and was that before or after childbirth? Are there any authentic narrations mentioning its consumption during labor to facilitate childbirth, or the virtue of ripe dates (rutab) during the postpartum period?

The exegetes differed regarding the identity of the caller to Mary, peace be upon her, in the verse: (Then [a voice] called her from beneath her, "Do not grieve; your Lord has placed beneath you a Sariy [stream or noble person]"), whether it was Jesus or Gabriel, peace be upon them. This determines whether the eating and drinking occurred after or before the birth.

There are no authentic, elevated prophetic traditions (marfu‘ hadiths) confirming the virtue of fresh dates (rutab) for a woman in confinement (nufasa) or during labor. All that has been narrated concerning this matter is not sound, and some of it is fabricated.

However, there are narrations from the Salaf (pious predecessors) that recommend fresh dates for a woman in confinement due to their benefits during labor and after childbirth. Among these are the statements quoted by Al-Suyuti from Shaqiq, Amr ibn Maymun, and Al-Rabi' ibn Khuthaym.

From a scientific perspective, fresh dates contain a substance that causes the uterus to contract, aiding childbirth and reducing bleeding. They also contain easily digestible sugars that provide the uterine muscles with the necessary energy, temporarily lower blood pressure, and contain a laxative substance. Furthermore, they contain the hormone pitocin, which prevents uterine hemorrhage. They are beneficial for both the mother and the infant during the post-natal period, as they contain iron, calcium, and vitamin A, making them important for the child's growth, blood formation, and bone marrow.