[Q 593] Islamic Practice of Tahneek (Gruthi)

QUESTION:

Is gruthi an islamic concept?

The one where we give the child something sweet on their tongue after they are born
If so who should give the gruthi and which day after the birth should they give it

ANSWER:

Giving ghutti (tahneek – placing a softened date or sweet substance in the newborn’s mouth) is a Mustahab (recommended) act.

Its method is that the one giving the ghutti should chew a date well in their mouth until it becomes soft enough to be swallowed, then open the baby’s mouth and place it inside.

It is Mustahab that the one giving the ghutti be a pious, righteous, and God-fearing person, whether male or female. If such a person is not present, then the newborn child may be taken to a pious person for the sake of performing tahneek.

Hazrat Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan Naeemi رحمۃُ اللہِ علیہ states: The Sahabah (companions) would bring their newborn children to the service of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم, and he would chew a date and place it on the palate of the child with his blessed tongue so that the first thing to enter the child’s mouth would be the blessed saliva of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم. This act is called tahneek.

He further states: The one who gives the first ghutti has an effect on the child, and similar qualities develop in the child.

It is narrated from Hazrat Anas رضي الله تعالى عنه:

“غدوت إلى رسول اللہ صلى اللہ عليه و سلم بعبد اللہ بن أبي طلحة ليحنكه”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Zakah, Hadith 1502, Volume 2, Page 130, Dar Tawq al-Najat)

Under this, Allama بدرالدین عینی علیہ الرحمۃ mentions among its benefits:

“و فيه: قصد أهل الفضل و الصلاح لتحنيك المولود لأجل البركة.”
(Umdat al-Qari Sharh Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 9, Page 107, Dar Ihya al-Turath al-Arabi, Beirut)

Imam Nawawi رحمۃ اللہ تعالیٰ علیہ states:

“يستحب ان یکون المحنک من الصالحین و ممن یتبرک بہ رجلا کان او امراۃ”
(Sharh al-Nawawi ‘ala Muslim, Volume 14, Page 123, Dar Ihya al-Turath al-Arabi, Beirut)

Answered by: Usman Madani (Ask Mufti Scholar)
Translated answer
Date: 25th March 2026.
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