Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said:
السواك مطهرة للفم و مرضاة للرب
“The (use of) miswaak is a cleanliness of the mouth and a (means of gaining the) pleasure of the Rabb.”
The use of the miswaak (toothstick) is undoubtedly a great Sunnah of our beloved Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). There are many Ahaadith that highlight the virtues and benefits of using the miswaak. The use of toothbrush and toothpaste is not a substitute for the miswaak. Amongst the greatest virtues of using the miswaak is that the person (who regularly uses it) will easily be able to recite the Kalimah at the time of death and also the usage of miswaak during wudhu will ensure the Salaat performed with that wudhu to be 70 times more rewarding.
The following are some of the benefits and virtues of using the miswaak:
1. Miswaak strengthens the gums and prevents tooth decay.
2. Miswaak assists in eliminating toothaches and prevents further increase of decay which has already set in.
3. Miswaak creates a fragrance in the mouth.
4. Miswaak is a cure for illness.
5. Miswaak eliminates bad odours and improves the sense of taste.
6. Miswaak sharpens the memory.
7. Miswaak is a cure for headaches.
8. Miswaak creates lustre (noor) on the face of the one who continually uses it.
9. Miswaak causes the teeth to glow.
10. Miswaak strengthens the eyesight.
11. Miswaak assists in digestion.
12. Miswaak clears the voice.
DISPELLING A MISCONCEPTION
There are some persons who use the Miswaak in the Musjid immediately before Salaat commences. This practice is incorrect, as explained in the Fatwa cited below, which appears in Aap ke Masaail aur un ka Hal:
In responding to a question regarding the usage of a miswaak in Musjid before Salaat, the venerable Mufti Saheb answers:
“The Hadith cited (by those who advocate this practice) is as follows:
لولا أن أشق على أمتي لأمرتهم بالسواك عند كل صلاة
“Had I not feared difficulty upon my Ummat, I would certainly have ordered them to use the miswaak at the time of every Salaat.”
There is a difference in the words amongst the narrators of this Hadith. Some report this Hadith with the words عند كل صلاة(at the time of every Salaat) whilst others report this Hadith with the words عند كل وضوء(at the time of every wudhu) [Saheeh Bukhari, vol. 12, page 259]. That is, the use of the miswaak is encouraged during every wudhu.
In view of the usage of these differing terms, the import of this Hadith according to Imaam Abu Hanifah (rahmatullahi alaih) is that before every Salaat, wudhu has to be made and we are encouraged to use the miswaak at the commencement of every wudhu. The meaning of the instruction to use miswaak for every Salaat is that it is to be used at the time of making wudhu before the Salaat. The objective is not that miswaak must be made before commencing the actual Salaat.
When a person uses the miswaak when he stands up for Salaat, then there is a fear that the gums may bleed, which will result in the wudhu breaking. If the wudhu breaks, then the Salaat will also be rendered broken. This is the reason why Imaam Abu Hanifah (rahmatullahi alaih) used to say that it is Sunnah to use miswaak before the wudhu which is made for Salaat. Miswaak is not to be made before the Salaat itself.
Besides this (explanation above), miswaak is used to achieve cleanliness of the mouth, and this objective can only be acquired if miswaak is used during wudhu, when water is used to gargle, thereby acquiring proper cleanliness in the mouth. When a miswaak is used just before Salaat commences, then it is done without water or gargling, which will not result in proper cleanliness of the mouth, thereby defeating the objective of the miswaak.”
As explained above, the use of a miswaak immediately before Salaat commences, is not part of the Sunnah. One of the chief objectives of using a miswaak is to clean the teeth, gums and mouth itself. When a (dry) miswaak is used, then besides there being a possibility of the gums bleeding, the dirt which the miswaak removes cannot be expelled from the mouth because one is in the Musjid. If any dirt is removed by the use of the miswaak then either it will remain in the mouth or be swallowed – both options defeat the very purpose of using a miswaak.
The best use of a miswaak, is when making wudhu. Alternatively, if one needs to make miswaak (without the need of making a wudhu), then one must wet the miswaak with water and rinse the miswaak and the mouth afterwards.