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 and 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 (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) 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 Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam)'s 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 Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam used the 'Siwaak' or tooth stick to clean his teeth, a twig taken from the 'araak' tree found in and around Makkah.
He Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam loved to use it and highly encouraged us to do the same.
🍃 Ibn Mas'ood said: "I used to gather siwaak sticks from the araak tree for the Messenger of Allaah (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam)."
(Ahmad--hasan).
Now, I am not telling you to throw out your toothbrushes in the garbage.
I want you to be aware that using the Siwaak is an act of worship and a Sunnah for which you will be rewarded, so you may 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 (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
'Siwaak cleanses the mouth and pleases the Lord.'" (al-Bukhaari)
2. The Prophet Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam highly encouraged it:
Use of the Siwaak is a confirmed Sunnah that you will be rewarded for and is greatly encouraged.
🍃 The Prophet Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam said:
"I have told you repeatedly to (use) the Siwaak." (al-Bukhaari)
🍃 And he 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."
(al-Bukhaari)
3. Medical benefits:
While some 'educated' Muslims consider the Siwaak 'backward' 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 (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) .
🌷 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 wudhu' and at times of prayer.
🍃 The Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) 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 wudhu'"(al-Bukhaari)
2. When you come home
🍃 Aa'ishah Radhi Allaahu anha said:
"When he (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) entered his house, the first thing he would do was to use the Siwaak."(Muslim).
3. When you wake up from sleep:
🍃 Hudhayfah (Radhi Allaahi anhu) said:
"When the Prophet (Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) got up during the night, he would clean his mouth thoroughly with the siwaak.”
(al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
4.While fasting:
🍃 Amir bin Rabi'a said:
"I saw the Prophet cleaning his teeth with Siwaak while he was fasting so many times as I can't count." (al-Bukhaari)
5. When your mouth smells weird:
Use the Siwaak to clean your mouth after eating something like onions or garlic or other food with a strong smell.
Also use it if your breath smells weird because of not eating or drinking for a long time, because the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
"Siwaak cleanses the mouth"
6. When you go to the masjid and especially for Jumu’ah:
Using siwaak is part of the cleaning and grooming we’re supposed to do when we go to the masjid.
🍃 Allaah says:
"O Children of Adam! Take your adornment while praying...'"
[Surah al-A'raaf 7:31]
It is also important because the angels are present in the masjid, and they run away from any kind of bad smells.
And of course, there will be other people there as well.
🍃 Abu Sa'eed Radhi Allaahu anhu said:
"I testify that Allaah's Apostle said, "The taking of a bath on Friday is compulsory for every male Muslim who has attained the age of puberty and (also) the cleaning of his teeth with Siwaak, and the using of perfume if it is available."
(al- Bukhaari)
7. When reading Qur'aan and doing dhikr
That's because we want to offer these acts of worship to Allaah in the best way we can.
And cleansing our mouth, and purifying our breath is part of it.
And the angels are there at such times as well.
8. After the signs of death appear:
🍃 Aaisha Radhi Allaahu anhaa said that the Prophet Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam wanted to use the Siwaak and he did, just before he Sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam passed away. (al-Bukhaari)
🌷HOW TO INCORPORATE SIWAAK IN WUDHU🌷
There’s a difference of opinion among the scholars about when to incorporate siwaak during wudhu.
Some scholars like Shaykh al-Albaani said that we should use it before we start wudhu.
🍃Shaykh al-Albaani said:
“The way it – wudhu’ – is done is:
using the siwaak,
saying Bismillah,
washing the hands three times – which is Sunnah – rinsing the mouth,
snuffing water into the nose and blowing it out.”
(al-Thamar al-Mustataab, p. 9)
But others said we should use at the time of rinsing the mouth.
Since the matter is flexible, you can use it anytime; before wudhu or after it or even during wudhu when you rinse your mouth.
🍃Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:
“Using the siwaak when doing wudhu’ should be with rinsing the mouth, because this is the point at which the mouth is purified and the siwaak is for purifying the mouth, as it is narrated in a saheeh report from the Prophet ﷺ that he said:
“The siwaak is purifying for the mouth and pleasing to the Lord.”
So the siwaak should come with rinsing the mouth, but if you wish you may use the siwaak after finishing wudhu’ or if you wish you may use it before you start, but it is better if it is done when rinsing the mouth.”
(al-Sharh al-Mukhtasar ‘ala Buloogh al-Maraam, 2/44)
🌷 Some Important points about the Siwaak🌷
1. Its preferable to use the twigs of the 'araak' tree but you can use any kind of sticks, if it is not available. (That includes toothbrushes and toothpastes)
2. Obviously we shouldn’t use harmful or poisonous sticks or things that are not taahir (pure).
3. It's ok to use siwaak that's flavored with mint, lemon, etc. unless you are fasting.
4. There's no specific way or method to hold the miswaak and no specific way to clean the mouth with it.
It's a matter that's open because there's no authentic evidence for a particular way or method of holding the siwaak or cleaning in a specific way.
Any hadeeth that talks about holding the siwaak in a specific hand or this finger behind that one, or going in a particular direction from right to left or left to right, etc is NOT authentic.
5. Rinse out the siwaak after using it.
🌷Using siwaak when fasting🌷
There is nothing wrong with using the siwaak while fasting.
However, we 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" (al-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 go away by using the Siwaak.
🌷SO REVIVE THIS BEAUTIFUL SUNNAH!🌷
This beautiful Sunnah has been lost in the plethora of toothbrushes and modern technologies, and we've 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 Ta'ala.
Besides, what could be better than the Siwaak?
It does not require toothpaste, water or a special area to use it, and may be easily carried in our purses and pockets.
It is also disposable and biodegradable; thus making it the ultimately convenient, environmentally safe toothbrush that pleases Allaah and earns us rewards at the same time!
And Allaah knows best.
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