A Miswak, or siwak, is a natural tooth-stick made from a twig of a tree. Typically made from peelu, olive or walnut tree. It is used to clean the teeth, and holds an important place in Islam. The reason for this is that our blessed and beloved Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam), along with all the other prophets (Ala Nabiyyina wa Alayhim as-Salat wa as-Salam), used it regularly, and strongly advised his followers to do the same. Unfortunately! Today, most perhaps this beautiful sunnah of using Miswak is almost a 'Forgotten' Sunnah (May Allah forbid). Whereas, this is definitely one of the most favourable and easiest Sunnah of all. Instead, we embarrassed to practise it in public. May Allah give us better understanding. Here we present some of the sacred traditions of the beloved Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) on the excellence and benefits of using miswak.
..:: Ahadtih on the Excellence of Miswak ::..
Hadith 1: The Beloved Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi
wa Sallam) states, "Miswak is a thing that pleases the Merciful Lord."
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 1, Page 637, Hadith 1933]
So it is obvious that one will reap endless bounties when the Lord Almighty
is pleased.
Hadith 2: The Noble Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi
wa Sallam) has stated, "When any one of you stand at night to offer Salah, you
should clean your teeth with a Miswak because when you recite the Quran, an
angel places his mouth on yours and anything coming out of your mouth enters the
mouth of that angel." [Shu'ab al-Iman, Vol. 2, Page
381, Hadith 2117]
Hadith 3: Sayyiduna Abu Umamah (Radi Allahu
Anhu) has narrated the following saying of the Holy Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi
wa Sallam), "Miswak is a means of the purification of your mouths and the
pleasure of your Rabb." [Sunan Ibn Majah, Page 2495,
Hadith 289]
Hadith 4: Tabrani narrates a Hasan narration on
the authority of Hadrat Ali (Radi Allahu Anhu), citing that Rasoolullah
(SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "If I did not feel that it would be
difficult upon my Ummah, I would have commanded them to perform miswak with
every Wudu." [Mu'jam al-Awsat, Vol. 1, Page 341,
Hadith 1238]
Hadith 5: In other words I would have made it
Fard. In some narrations the term Fard has also appeared.
[Mustadrak lil Haakim, Vol. 1, Page 364, Hadith 531]
Hadith 6: It is also mentioned in one narration
of Tabrani that Rasoolullah (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) never went for any
Salaah without performing Miswak (cleaning the teeth).
[Mu'jam al-Kabeer, Vol. 5, Page 152, Hadith 253-44]
Hadith 7: Imam Ahmed narrates from Ibn Umar
(Radi Allahu Anhuma) that Rasoolullah (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, ‘Make
it a habit to perform Miswak, as it is a means of cleansing the mouth and a
means of attaining the pleasure of Allah.’ [Musnad
Ahmad, Vol. 2, Page 438, Hadith 5869]
Hadith 8: Abu Nu’aym narrates on the authority
of Hadrat Jaabir (Radi Allahu Anhu) that Rasoolullah (SallAllahu Alayhi wa
Sallam) said, ‘To perform 2 Raka’ats after performing Miswak is more exalted
than 70 Raka’ats which is performed without performing Miswak.’
[Al-Targhib wa at-Tarheeb, Vol. 1, Page 102, Hadith
18]
Hadith 9: It has been mentioned in one narration
that the Namaaz which is performed after Miswak is 70 folds more exalted than
the Namaaz which is performed without making Miswak.
[Shu'ab al-Iman, Vol. 3, Page 26, Hadith 2774]
Hadith 10: It is narrated in Mishkaat Shareef
from Hadrat Sayyidah A’isha (Radi Allahu Anha) that there are 10 actions which
are of Fitrat (inherent qualities) :
1. To trim the
moustache
2. To
lengthen the beard
3. To perform
Miswak
4. To put
water into the nostrils (cleansing the nostrils)
5. To clip
the nails
6. To wash
between the toes
7. To remove
the hair from under the arms
8. To remove
the pubic hair
9. To perform
Istinja (to clean oneself after answering the call of nature)
10. To rinse
the mouth. [Sahih Muslim, Page 154, Hadith 261]
Hadith
11: It is on
the authority of Hadrat Ali (Radi Allahu Anhu) that Rasoolullah (SallAllahu
Alayhi wa Sallam) said, ‘When a servant (believer) performs Miswak and then
stands for Salaah, an Angel stands behind him and listens to his Qir'at
(recitation). The Angel then comes so close to him, that it places its mouth
against the mouth of that person (the Namaazi).’
[Musnad al-Bazzar, Vol. 2, Page 614, Hadith 603]
Hadith 12: Whenever the Holy Prophet (SallAllahu
Alayhi wa Sallam) would enter his blessed home, he would use the Miswak first.
[Sahih Muslim, Vol. 1, Page 152, Hadith 152]
Hadith 13: Whenever the Exalted Prophet
(SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) would wake up from his sleep, he would use the
Miswak. [Sunan Abu Dawud, Page 54, Hadith 57]
Hadith 14: Make use of Miswak necessarily
because it cleans your mouth and pleases Allah.
[Musnad Imam Ahmad, Vol. 2, Page 438, Hadith 5869]
Hujjatul Islam Imam Muhammad al-Ghazali (Alayhir
Rahmah) says, "Whilst using a Miswak, make intention to clean mouth for
the recitation of the Holy Quran and for the Zikr (Remembrance) of Allah."
[Ihya al-Uloom, Vol. 1, Page 182]
It is quoted in the margins of Tahtawi: “Use
of Miswak strengthen memory and eyesight, cures headaches and relieves the veins
in the head, eliminates sputum, improves digestion, increases brain power,
increases birth rate, delays aging and strengthens the back.”
[Hashiya al-Tahtawi Ala Maraqil Falah, Page 69]
Sadr al-Shariah Allama Amjad Ali Al-Aazami stated:
The Masha'ikh (Pious Grandmasters) have mentioned that a person (believer) who
is habitual of making Miswak, will be blessed with the opportunity of being able
to recite the Kalima at the time of his death and that person who uses opium,
will not be blessed with the opportunity of reciting the Kalima at the time of
his death. [Bahar-e-Shari'at, Vol. 2, Page 288]
..:: Important Notes pertaining to Miswak ::..
..:: Other times when the usage of Miswak is Sunnah ::..
May Allah Almighty give us the ability and strength to practise and revive this beautiful Sunnah with sincerity, Aameen!!