Softened dates on your newborn's upper palate — a practice of the Prophet ﷺ that Singapore families have been rediscovering. Learn exactly what tahnik is, when to do it, and the step-by-step method.
Tahnik (Arabic: تَحْنِيك) is the Islamic Sunnah of softening a piece of date — by chewing it or soaking it until soft — and then gently rubbing it on the upper palate (roof of mouth) of a newborn baby. It is one of the first acts performed for a Muslim child after birth.
The practice is based on authentic Hadith showing that the companions of the Prophet ﷺ would bring their newborns to him, and he would perform tahnik himself. It is considered a Sunnah muakkadah — a highly recommended practice — by the majority of Islamic scholars.
Tahnik is separate from aqiqah. Tahnik is done as soon as possible after birth. Aqiqah (the animal sacrifice) is done on the 7th day. Both are Sunnah — but neither cancels the other.
The evidence for tahnik comes directly from the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, recorded in the most authoritative hadith collections:
"Abu Musa said: A son was born to me, and I brought him to the Prophet ﷺ, who called him Ibrahim. The Prophet chewed a date and put it in his mouth, and invoked Allah's blessings for him, and returned him to me."
— Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 71, Hadith 594
"It was the practice among the Ansar (Companions in Madinah) that when a child was born, they would bring the child to the Prophet ﷺ to perform tahnik."
— Sahih Muslim, Book of Greetings
Based on these narrations, the four major Sunni schools of Islamic jurisprudence — Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali — all recognise tahnik as a Sunnah act for newborns.
The preferred practice is to have a pious scholar, imam, or respected elder perform tahnik — mirroring how the Companions brought their children to the Prophet ﷺ. However, if no such person is available, the father or any righteous Muslim adult may perform it. The act itself is what matters — not the status of the person doing it — though seeking someone of knowledge is recommended.
Follow these steps carefully to perform tahnik correctly according to the Sunnah:
Use a soft ripe date (rutab) or a softened dried date (tamr). Ajwa dates from Madinah are preferred but any halal date works.
Chew the date to soften it, or soak it in water until very soft. Remove the seed and skin. You need just a small soft piece.
Before beginning, make the intention (niyyah) and recite a du'a or Surah Al-Fatiha asking Allah to bless the child.
Using your clean right index finger, take a very small amount of the softened date and gently rub it on the newborn's upper palate (roof of mouth). Do not push deep — just a light application.
After applying, make du'a for the child — for good character, health, and righteous life. The Prophet ﷺ would invoke blessings after performing tahnik.
Tahnik involves only a very tiny amount of softened date paste applied to the upper palate — it is not a feeding. The newborn's sucking reflex naturally draws the taste in. If the baby coughs or shows distress, stop immediately. Consult your doctor if you have concerns about the baby's health before performing tahnik.
There is some flexibility in the timing of tahnik, though scholars agree it should be done as soon as conveniently possible after birth:
The ideal time is the same day the baby is born — shortly after the mother and baby have rested. This mirrors the practice of the Companions who brought their newborns to the Prophet ﷺ on the day of birth.
If no one suitable is available on the day of birth, tahnik may be performed within the first 2–3 days. It should not be delayed unnecessarily.
Tahnik can be performed before or after the baby is named. Some families do it alongside the adhan in the right ear and iqamah in the left — all within the first hours of life.
Tahnik is not part of aqiqah. The aqiqah sacrifice is performed on the 7th day (or 14th or 21st if missed). Do not confuse or combine these — they are distinct Sunnahs.
Once tahnik is done for your newborn, the next Sunnah to prepare for is aqiqah — the animal sacrifice performed on the 7th day after birth. SG Aqiqah makes this easy for Singapore families: we handle everything from slaughter and distribution to documentation, all Shariah-compliant.
Our packages start from $155 per animal. For a baby girl, one animal is needed. For a baby boy, two are recommended.
| Package | Animal | For | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package A | Goat | Baby girl (1 goat) or boy (2 goats) | From $155 | Slaughter, distribution, photo proof, e-cert |
| Package B | Sheep | Baby girl (1 sheep) or boy (2 sheep) | From $185 | Slaughter, distribution, photo proof, e-cert |
| Package C | Goat | Larger goat, boy or girl | From $215 | Slaughter, distribution, photo proof, e-cert |
| Package D | Sheep | Premium sheep, boy or girl | From $245 | Slaughter, distribution, photo proof, e-cert |
All aqiqah is performed by our trained team in Indonesia. Meat is distributed to orphans and the poor — a greater act of charity than local distribution. Fully Islamically valid. Photos and e-certificate sent to you directly.
Tahnik done — now plan the aqiqah. WhatsApp us with your baby's name, birth date, and preferred package. We will confirm the schedule and handle everything.
💬 WhatsApp Us Now View Full PricingTahnik is the Islamic Sunnah of softening a piece of date and gently rubbing it on the upper palate of a newborn baby. It is based on authentic hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim and is recommended by the majority of Islamic scholars. It is one of the first acts done for a Muslim child after birth.
Yes. While it is preferred that a pious scholar or respected elder performs tahnik — as the Companions brought their children to the Prophet ﷺ — the father or any righteous Muslim adult may perform it if no scholar is available. What matters is the sincere intention and correct method.
Dates (rutab or tamr) are the Sunnah item based on the authentic narrations. Honey is not specifically mentioned for tahnik in the most authentic hadith. If dates are completely unavailable, some scholars permit other sweet substances, but softened dates are always the first choice. Ajwa dates from Madinah are especially recommended.
No. Tahnik and aqiqah are two separate Sunnahs. Tahnik is performed as soon as possible on or after the day of birth. Aqiqah (the animal sacrifice) is performed on the 7th day after birth (or 14th or 21st if missed). Both are independently recommended — performing one does not replace the other.
Yes. Many Singapore Muslim families perform tahnik at the hospital bedside shortly after birth. You just need a softened date and a clean finger. There is no religious requirement for it to be done at home or in a specific location. Pack a few dates in your hospital bag so you are ready.
If dates are not immediately on hand, you can delay tahnik briefly until a date is obtained. It does not have to happen at the exact moment of birth. The practical advice: prepare a small packet of soft dates in your hospital bag before the due date so this is never an issue.
