Last updated: 14 October 2026 | Written for Eid ul Adha 2027
Qurbani Easy Editorial Team • Advised by our panel of Islamic scholars
Quick Answer: Tahneek is the practice of rubbing a newborn’s palate with a chewed date. Sahih al-Bukhari 5467 and 5470 and Sahih Muslim 2145 and 2146 report it from the Prophet (ﷺ), together with naming the child and a prayer of blessing. The sources we opened give the reports; for how it applies to your baby, ask your scholar and your doctor.
New parents hear about Tahneek in the first days after a birth. This guide sets out what the reports say, in the English shown on sunnah.com, and what we could not find a source for.
What the reports say
A son was born to me and I took him to the Prophet (ﷺ) who named him Ibrahim, did Tahnik for him with a date, invoked Allah to bless him and returned him to me.
Narrated by Abu Musa; Sahih al-Bukhari 5467
The Prophet (ﷺ) took a date, chewed it, took some of it out of his mouth, put it into the child’s mouth and did Tahnik for him with that, and named him ‘Abdullah.
Narrated by Anas bin Malik, about the son of Abu Talha; Sahih al-Bukhari 5470 (part)
Sahih Muslim 2145 gives the account of Abu Musa again, and Sahih Muslim 2146 reports from Asma’ bint Abu Bakr that she sent her newborn son Abdullah to the Prophet (ﷺ), who chewed dates, placed them in the child’s mouth, rubbed the palate, blessed him and gave him the name Abdullah. The chapter headings in Sahih Muslim use the word istihbab (recommended) for Tahneek.
What the reports contain, in order
- The newborn is brought to the Prophet (ﷺ).
- A date is chewed and rubbed on the child’s palate.
- The child is named (in these reports, the same day).
- A prayer for blessing is made for the child.
What we could not source
- A fatwa on whether Tahneek is sunnah or only recommended in each school.
- Who may do it today, and whether it must be a pious person.
- Whether anything other than a date may be used.
For these, please ask your local scholar. For the Aqeeqah, see why the 7th day is considered afzal and who can do the Aqeeqah.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tahneek?
The reports we opened describe the Prophet (ﷺ) taking a newborn, chewing a date and rubbing the child’s palate with it, and naming the child (Sahih al-Bukhari 5467, 5470; Sahih Muslim 2145, 2146).
Is Tahneek obligatory?
The sources we opened give the reports and the chapter heading in Sahih Muslim, which uses the word istihbab (recommended). We did not open a fatwa that states the ruling for each school, so ask your scholar.
Who should do it?
In the reports the child was brought to the Prophet (ﷺ). We did not open a fatwa that says who may do it today, so ask your scholar.
Is it safe to give a newborn a date?
This is a health question, not a religious one. Please talk to your doctor or midwife first.
Does Tahneek replace the Aqeeqah?
No. They are separate practices; see why the 7th day is considered afzal for the 7th day and who can do the Aqeeqah for who does the Aqeeqah.
Related guides: why the 7th day is considered afzal; who can do the Aqeeqah.
To arrange an Aqeeqah, you can book Aqeeqah online on our website.
Citation Sources
• Sahih al-Bukhari 5467 (Abu Musa) — named Ibrahim, Tahnik with a date; checked on sunnah.com.
• Sahih al-Bukhari 5470 (Anas bin Malik) — the son of Abu Talha; checked on sunnah.com.
• Sahih Muslim 2145 (Abu Musa) — the same account; the chapter heading uses istihbab; checked on sunnah.com.
• Sahih Muslim 2146 (Asma’ bint Abu Bakr) — Abdullah ibn Zubayr; checked on sunnah.com.
No fatwa source was opened for this guide, so no school ruling is stated and no school difference is shown. Both Sahih collections are used; the wording is the English shown on sunnah.com.