The Sunnah That Protects Newborns

For over 1,400 years, Muslims have practiced Tahnik (commonly known as ghutti in South Asia)—a recommended (mustahabb) prophetic tradition for newborn care. The process involves softening a small piece of a date and gently rubbing it inside the newborn’s mouth. While practiced primarily out of devotion, modern medical research highlights how this simple act aligns with infant care.

The Prophetic Tradition

During the time of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), companions frequently brought their newborns to him for Tahnik and blessings. Asma bint Abi Bakr (RA) narrated that upon giving birth to Abdullah ibn al-Zubair in Madinah, she brought the infant to the Prophet (SAW). He placed the child on his lap, chewed a date, and applied a small amount to the baby's palate, making a dua for blessings. (Sahih Muslim 2146b)

What Modern Science Discovered

Glucose is the primary energy source for a newborn's body and brain. Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) affects up to 15% of newborns and, if left untreated, can cause permanent brain damage.

In a landmark trial published in The Lancet and reported by the BBC, researchers in New Zealand found that rubbing a simple sugar gel into the inside of a newborn’s cheek effectively raises blood sugar levels and protects against brain injury. Costing just over two dollars per infant, researchers recommended sugar gel as a first-line preventive measure.

Guidelines for Performing Tahnik

• Who Performs It: Traditionally, a righteous person or the parents perform Tahnik.
• Medical Awareness: It is best practice to consult hospital medical staff and check the baby’s glucose levels after birth.

Important Safety Precautions:

• Dates are not medicine. Never give honey to a baby under one year old, and always follow your doctor if a newborn has low blood sugar.
• Clinical trials use precise, medically supervised dosages. Tahnik is a symbolic tradition, not a substitute for professional medical treatment if a baby suffers from severe hypoglycemia.