Forgotten Sunnah Tahneek Helps to Initiate Breastfeeding
Tahneek is the practice of rubbing a piece of softened date on the roof of the mouth of a newborn. The Prophet (saws) performed tahneek on many of the children of his companions, “as is narrated about the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) that when a child was born and brought to him soon afterward, he would moisten a small piece of a date with his mouth and then place it on the palate of the newborn”[Bukhari, Muslim and others-Seekersguidance.org]. In these modern times, tahneek is often forgotten when introducing a new Muslim child into the world.