What is Tahneek and how should it be done

Tahneek is the practice of a pious person chewing something sweet (preferably a date) until it is suitable for a newborn to consume. It is thereafter placed in the mouth of the newborn mixed with a little of the saliva of the pious person. It is hoped that the saliva of the pious person will have an effect on the child where the child will grow up to be upright and have the qualities of the pious person.

It is narrated on the authority of Sayyidatuna Aa’ishah (Radiyallahu Anha) that Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) used to make Dua for Barakah for the children who were brought to him and do their Tahneek. (Sahih Muslim, Hadith #: 5743)

Sayyiduna Abu Musa (Radiyallahu Anhu) said that when his wife gave birth, he took his son to Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). He (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) named the child Ebrahim and did his Tahneek with a date. (Sahih Muslim, Hadith #: 5739)

It is mentioned that Sayyiduna Umar (Radiallahu Anhu) did the Tahneek of Hasan al-Basri (Rahimahullah) which resulted in him becoming a very learned and pious scholar of Islam.

Tahneek is Sunnah. One will not be sinful if he/she has omitted the practice.

And Allah Knows Best