In the name of Allah, the Most-Merciful, the All-Compassionate

"May the Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon You"

Praise be to Allaah, we seek His help and His forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allaah from the evil of our own souls
and from our bad deeds. Whomsoever Allaah guides will never be led astray, and whomsoever Allaah leaves astray, no
one can guide. I bear witness that there is no god but Allaah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and
Messenger.

Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala Rasulillah

As-Salaam Alaikum Wa-Rahmatullahi Wa-Barakatuhu

Miswaak - The Forgotten Sunnah

By Asma bint Shameem

Alhamdulillaah, we all understand the importance of oral hygiene. Science in

the twentieth century has shown us the link between poor oral hygiene and
certain diseases such as stroke, heart disease, pre-term babies, as well as
general ill-health of a person.

However, while shuffling between electric/sonic toothbrushes, water piks and

expensive dental treatments, we forgot that while the rest of mankind just
recently discovered the toothbrush about a 100 years ago, one unlettered
Prophet (pbuh) living in the middle of a desert 1400 years ago, already showed
us the significance of brushing the teeth and keeping the mouth clean.

The Prophets (pbuh) teeth were beautiful, perfect and pearly white at a time
when the concept of oral healthcare was totally obscure and nobody beyond the
age of 30 had any teeth left!
He (pbuh) used the Siwaak or tooth stick to clean his teeth, a twig taken from
the araak tree found in and around Makkah. He (pbuh) loved to use it and
highly encouraged us to do the same.

Ibn Masood said: “I used to gather siwaak sticks from the araak tree for the
Messenger of Allaah (pbuh).” (Ahmad--hasan).

Now, I am not telling you to throw out your toothbrushes in the garbage. The
Siwaak is an act of worship and a Sunnah for which you will be rewarded, so
use it in addition to you toothbrushes, and gain the pleasure of Allaah, Most
High.

BENEFITS OF SIWAAK:

1) Siwaak is an act of worship and pleases Allaah

“The Prophet (pbuh) said, Siwaak cleanses the mouth and pleases the Lord.’”
(Bukhaari)

2) The Prophet (pbuh) highly encouraged it

Use of the Siwaak is a Sunnah that you will be rewarded for and is greatly
encouraged.

The Prophet (pbuh) said:

“Were it not for the fact that I did not want to make things too hard for my
ummah, I would have commanded them to use the Siwaak at every time of
prayer.” (Bukhaari)

3) Medical benefits

While some educated Muslims consider the Siwaak barbaric and uncivilized
and look down upon those who use it, scientific studies have proven beyond
doubt, that the Siwaak not only brushes the teeth and keeps them white, but
also has antibacterial properties, fights gingivitis, eliminates bad breath,
strengthens the gums, prevents plaque, helps in digestion, and contributes to
the general health of the individual. (Islamic medicine by Dr. Mohammad Nezar
al Dagr)

This is yet another proof of the truthfulness of the prophethood of Muhammad

(pbuh).

TIMES WHEN SIWAAK IS RECOMMENDED

Siwaak is recommended at all times of night and day, but there are certain
specific situations where use of the siwaak is even more strongly encouraged.

1)When making wudoo and at times of prayer.

The Prophet (pbuh) said: “Were it not for the fact that I did not want to make
things too hard for my ummah, I would have commanded them to use the
siwaak at every time of prayer.”

According to another report he said: “…at every time of making wudoo’”

2)When entering ones home

Aaishah said, “When he (pbuh) entered his house, the first thing he would do
was to use the Siwaak.” (Muslim).

3) When getting up from sleep

Hudhayfah (RA) said that when the Prophet (pbuh) got up during the night, he
would clean his mouth thoroughly with the siwaak.(Bukhaari,Muslim)

4) When the mouth emits odour

Such as after eating food with a strong odor, like onions or garlic or because of
not eating or drinking for a long time, etc.

5) When going to the masjid

Using siwaak is part of the adornment which we (men only) are commanded to
wear for every prayer. It is also important because the angels are present in the
mosque, and one is going to meet with other worshippers there.

6) When reading Quraan and doing dhikr of Allaah

7) When joining good gatherings

8) After the signs of death are evident

It is reported in Bukhaari that Aaisha (RA) said that the Prophet (pbuh) wanted
to and used the Siwaak just before he (pbuh) passed away.

Important points about the Siwaak

1)The twigs of the araak tree are preferable but any kind of sticks that are
cleansing may be used, if it is not available. (That includes toothbrushes and
toothpastes)

2)It is forbidden to use harmful or poisonous sticks or things that are not taahir
(pure).

3)There is nothing wrong with using siwaak flavored with mint, lemon, etc.
unless the person is fasting.
3) The Siwaak should nether be too dry(it may hurt the gums)nor too wet (won’t
clean)

4)A person should start from the right side, and use a side-to-side motion
rather than up-and-down, as the latter may harm the gums.

5)One should not use the siwaak in front of others or in public, because this is
impolite.

6) The siwaak should be washed after use.

Aaishah RA said: “The Prophet (pbuh) used the siwaak, then he would give it to
me to wash it. I would use it first, then wash it and give it back to him.” (Abu
Dawood)

7)The siwaak should be kept in a clean place.

Using siwaak when fasting

The scholars agree that there is nothing wrong with using siwaak during the
day when one is fasting. However, one should avoid using any of the flavored
Siwaak that are available and only use the natural kind during this time.

Some people use the hadeeth “The odor that comes from the mouth of the
fasting person is better in the sight of Allaah than the scent of musk”
(Bukhaari) as evidence to not use the Siwaak.

But, this is not applicable since this mouth odor is caused by the stomach
being empty, not from the mouth itself and will not be dispelled by using the
Siwaak.

REVIVE THE SUNNAH

This beautiful Sunnah has been lost in the plethora of toothbrushes and
modern technologies, and we have put our Siwaaks aside. We need to revive
this great Sunnah. Not only will it earn us a beautiful smile, and a healthy
mouth and body, but it will also earn us rewards and the pleasure of Allaah
Subhaanahu wa Taaala.