Cii Radio| Ayesha Ismail| 26 September 2016| 24 Zhul Hijjah 1437
A dose of sugar given as a gel rubbed into the inside of the cheek is a cheap and effective way to protect premature babies against brain damage, say experts.
Dangerously low blood sugar affects about one in 10 babies born too early. Untreated, it can cause permanent harm.
Researchers from New Zealand tested the gel therapy in 242 babies under their care and, based on the results; say it should now be a first-line treatment.
Their work is published in The Lancet.
Scientists are now only discovering what is prescribed by Islam and the Sunnah over 1436 years ago. The Tahneek – is a sunnah of Our Noble Prophet (saw) wherein he(Nabi saw) used to take a small part of date and place it in his mouth. He would then chew it and rub it into the palate of the newborn baby.
It is still a tradition followed in this day and age. Tahneek is the practice of a pious person chewing something sweet (preferably a date) until it is suitable for a newborn to consume. It is thereafter placed in the mouth of the newborn mixed with a little of the saliva of the pious person. It is hoped that the saliva of the pious person will have an effect on the child where the child will grow up to be upright and have the qualities of the pious person.
It is narrated on the authority of Sayyidatuna Aa’ishah (Radiyallahu Anha) that Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) used to make Dua for Barakah for the children who were brought to him and do their Tahneek. (Sahih Muslim, Hadith #: 5743)
Extract – bbc.com
