يُحَنَّكُ الْمَوْلُودُ وَيُدْعَى لَهُ بِالْبَرَكَةِ وَقَدْ فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ
The newborn is blessed (by having his mouth touched with a date or similar) and du'a is made for him for blessings. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) did this.
Yuhannaku al-mawloodu wa yud'aa lahu bil-barakati wa qad fa'ala dhalika Rasoolullahi sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam
When to Read
This is recited for a newborn infant shortly after birth, especially during the practice of 'tahnik' (rubbing a chewed date or honey on the roof of the baby's mouth). It's a moment to invoke Allah's blessings and acknowledge the child's entry into a life dedicated to the oneness of Allah.
How to Read
This hadith describes the action of the Prophet ﷺ, which is to make du'a for the newborn's blessings. While there isn't a specific set of words prescribed for the 'tahnik' itself in this narration, the intention is to invoke Allah's barakah. The general principle is to make du'a for the child, acknowledging Allah's sovereignty and seeking His protection and guidance for the new life.
Virtues & Benefits
The 'tahnik' and the du'a made during it are acts of Sunnah, following the example of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. It is a beautiful way to start the child's life with an invocation of blessings and a reminder of Allah's presence and care. By seeking 'barakah' (blessings), we are asking Allah to increase goodness, growth, and protection for the child.
Source & Authentication
عَنْ أَبِي مُوسَى الأَشْعَرِيِّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: وَلَدَ لِي غُلامٌ فَأَتَيْتُ بِهِ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَقَالَ: «يَا أَبَا مُوسَى، سَمِّهِ، فَأَتَيْتُ بِاسْمِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ فَقَالَ: هُوَ اسْمُ أَبِيكَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، فَسَكَتَ، ثُمَّ جَمَعَ أَلْفَاظَ حَدِيثِهِ فَقَالَ: فَأَتَيْتُهُ بِهِ بَعْدَ مَا كَبِرَ، فَقَالَ: «يَا عَبْدَ اللَّهِ، هَذَا أَبُو مُوسَى» ، وَقَالَ: «يُحَنَّكُ الْمَوْلُودُ وَيُدْعَى لَهُ بِالْبَرَكَةِ وَقَدْ فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ»