[Q 485] The Blessings and Influence of “Ghutti”

QUESTION:

Salam. When a baby is born, “gruthi” is done. When this is done, the person doing it — does his character go onto the child?

ANSWER:

Giving ghutti — that is, chewing a date or some sweet thing and applying it to the palate of a newborn baby — is the practice of Nabi Kareem صلَّی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلَّم and the Sahabah Kiraam علیہمُ الرِّضوان. Giving ghutti is Mustahab (recommended), and it is also a means of attaining blessings from the pious elders. The Sahabah Kiraam علیہمُ الرِّضوان used to bring their children to Nabi Kareem صلَّی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلَّم to have ghutti given by him. Having the ghutti given by righteous people is considered a good omen for the child’s faith and character becoming good.

Sayyidah Aisha Siddiqah رضي الله تعالى عنها narrates:
”كَانَ يُؤْتَى بِالصّبْيَانِ فَيُبَرّكُ عَلَيْهِمْ وَيُحَنّكُهُمْ“
Translation: “Children used to be brought to Rasoolullah صلَّی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلَّم, and he would make du‘a (pray) for blessings for them and perform Tahneek (rub the chewed date on their palate).”

(Muslim, p.134, Hadith: 662)

Mufti Shareef-ul-Haq Amjadi علیہ الرَّحمہ states:
“The meaning of Tahneek is to chew a date and stick it to the child’s palate. It is also Mustahab (recommended) that when a child is born, he should be presented to one among the scholars, Mashayikh (spiritual elders), or righteous people, and that person should chew a date or any sweet thing and place it in the baby’s mouth.”

(Nuzhat-ul-Qari, 5/430)

Answered by: Usman Madani, Ask Mufti Scholar
Translated answer
Date: 20th October 2025