What is the ruling on sucking the Miswak?

Regarding the piece of information mentioned in the book Durr-e-Mukhtar, i.e. sucking Miswak causes blindness, it is stated in Fatawa Shami: About the act of swallowing saliva without sucking the Miswak, Hakeem Tirmizi رَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ has stated, ‘When using Miswak, one should swallow the saliva which is produced in the beginning because it cures all illnesses except leucoderma, leprosy and death.’ (Radd-ul-Muhtar, Vol. 1, Pg. 251)

How to use Miswak?

It is possible that even though you feel that you have been using Miswak for a long time, you have problems with your teeth and stomach. My dear Islamic brothers! It is not the fault of the Miswak but of your own. I (Sag-e-Madinah) have concluded that nowadays, probably one in a thousand knows how to use Miswak correctly. Usually, we rush away, having quickly rubbed the Miswak on our teeth in Wudu; in other words, it should be said that we do not actually use Miswak properly; in fact, it is the formality of Miswak, i.e. being done in haste.

How to use Miswak correctly?

·        Perform Miswak horizontally on teeth.

·        Whenever one uses Miswak, it should be done so at least thrice and washed each time.

·        Hold the Miswak in the right hand in such a manner that the little finger remains at the bottom, and the middle three fingers remain on it while the thumb remains at the top close to the bristles of the Miswak. First, brush the top right row of the teeth and then the top left row. Then brush the bottom right row and then the bottom left row of the teeth.

·        Using Miswak while holding it in a fist may cause piles.

·        Miswak is a Sunnat-e-Qabliyah [in other words, Miswak is a Sunnah before Wudu, not during Wudu]. Therefore, use Miswak before starting Wudu, then wash both hands three times and complete Wudu as per usual. However, it becomes Muakkadah Sunnah when there is bad breath. (Fatawa Razaviyyah, Vol. 1, Pg. 837)

When should you use Miswak?

Sayyiduna Abdullah Ibn Umar رَضِيَ اللهُ تَعَالَى عَنْهُمَا used Miswak before eating. (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, Vol. 1, Pg. 197)

WHEN WOULD THE BELOVED RASOOL USE MISWAK?       

Sayyiduna Zayd Ibn Khalid Juhani رَضى اللهُ عَنْهُ has stated, ‘The Beloved Prophet صلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّم wouldn't leave his blessed home for any Salah until he صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّم had performed Miswak.’

(Al-Mu'jam-ul-Kabeer by Tabarani, Vol. 5, Pg. 254, Hadith 5261)

Can women use Miswak in Islam?

Yes, it is permissible for men and women alike in any state and at any time.

It is stated in Malfoozat-e-A'la Hazrat: For women, it is a Sunnah of Umm-ul-Mumineen Sayyidatuna Ayesha Siddiqah رضى اللَّهُ عَنْهَا to use Miswak, but if they don’t use Miswak, there is no harm in this. Their teeth and gums are relatively weaker in comparison to men's; it will suffice if they use ‘Missi’ (bark of a tree for cleaning teeth).

(Malfoozat-e-A'la Hazrat, Pg. 357)

When a Miswak becomes unusable

When a Miswak becomes unusable, one shouldn’t throw it away, as this is a tool for acting upon a Sunnah. It should be placed somewhere with care, or buried somewhere or tied to a stone and put into the sea

10 Blessed sayings of the Beloved Prophet صلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّم   regarding Miswak

1. Offering 2 Rak’aat, having performed Miswak, is better than 70 Rak’aat without Miswak. (Al Targheeb Wa al-Tarheeb, Vol. 1, Pg. 102, Hadith 18)

2. Offering Salah, having performed Miswak, is 70 times greater than the Salah performed without [using] Miswak. (Shu’ab-ul-Iman, Vol. 3, Pg. 26, Hadith 2774)

3. Four blessed actions are the Sunnah of the blessed Messengers:
 (1) Wearing fragrance
 (2) Performing Nikah
 (3) Using Miswak
(4) Having modesty. (Musnad Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, Vol. 9, Pg. 147, Hadith 23641)

4. Perform Miswak! Don’t approach me with yellow teeth. (Jam-ul-Jawami, Vol. 1, Pg. 389, Hadith 2875)

5. There is a cure for every disease in Miswak other than death. (Jami Sagheer, Pg. 297, Hadith 4840)

6. If I did not feel that it would be difficult upon my Ummah, I would have ordered them to use Miswak with every Wudu. (Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 1, Pg. 637)

7. Make the use of Miswak necessary upon yourself because in it is the cleanliness of the mouth, and it is a means of attaining the pleasure of Allah Almighty. (Musnad Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, Vol. 2, Pg. 438, Hadith 5869)

8. Wudu is half of Iman, and using Miswak is half of Wudu. (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, Vol. 1, Pg. 197, Hadith 22)

9. When a person stands for Salah, having performed Miswak, an angel stands behind him listening to his recitation, then comes close to him up to the extent that the angel places his mouth on the reciter’s mouth. (Al-Bahr-uz-Zakhaar, Vol. 2, Pg. 214, Hadith 603)

 10. Whoever takes a bath on Friday, performs Miswak, applies fragrance, wears fine quality clothing and then goes to the Masjid and does not step over people, but in fact performs Salah and remains silent after the arrival of the Imam (i.e. during the Khutbah) until the completion of Salah, Allah Almighty forgives all of his sins that were committed during that week. (Musnad Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, Vol. 4, Pg. 162, Hadith 11768)

It is Sunnah for a traveller to keep 8 things with him

The blessed father of the Imam-e-Ahl-e-Sunnat, Imam Ahmad Raza Khan, Maulana Naqi Ali Khan رَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى عليه, has stated: The Beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالَى عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّم used to keep 8 things with him whilst travelling:

 (1) Miswak

 (2) Kohl

 (3) Mirror

(4) Comb

 (5) Scissors

 (6) Needle

(7) Thread. (Anwaar-e-Jamal-e-Mustafa, Pg. 160)

In another narration, (8) Oil is also mentioned. (Subul-ul-Huda, Vol. 7, Pg. 347)

What Advice for removing the yellowness from teeth?

Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah رَضى اللهُ تَعَالَى عَنْهُ states: Using Miswak after eating removes the yellow stains from the teeth. (Al-Kamil fi Du’afa-ir-Rijaal, Vol. 4, Pg. 123)

What are the benefits of using Miswak?

Allamah Sayyid Ahmad Tahtawi Hanafi رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْهِ has stated the benefits and excellence of Miswak in the book Hashiyah Tahtawi:

1. Make the usage of Miswak necessary for you. Do not be heedless of it. Use it regularly because the pleasure of Allah Almighty is in it. 

2. Regular use of Miswak makes it easy to earn a living and brings blessings in sustenance.

3. It removes headaches.

4. It removes phlegm.

 5. It improves eyesight.

6. It maintains the proper functioning of the stomach.

 7. It energises the person who uses it.

8. It improves memory and enhances intellect.

 9. It purifies the heart.

10. Good deeds increase.

11. Angels become pleased.

 12. Miswak displeases Satan.

13. It helps in the digestion of food.

 14. It increases the number of one’s children.

15. It delays ageing.

16. It strengthens the back.

 17. It gives strength to the body to obey Allah Almighty.

 18. It brings ease at the time of death and reminds one of the Shahadah at such a time.

 19. It is a means of the book of deeds being given to the Miswak-using person in his right hand.

20. It makes him cross the Bridge of Sirat at lightning speed.

Health benefits of Miswak

According to the research of a well-known American company, Miswak has 20% more capability than any other method in removing harmful bacteria.

According to one research of some Sweden scientists, the bristles of Miswak directly remove bacteria without chewing them and protect the teeth from many illnesses.

It has been mentioned in a published research of the U.S. National Library of Medicine that if Miswak is used correctly, it is an excellent way of cleansing the teeth and mouth; also, of strengthening the gums.

According to one study, people who use Miswak regularly have fewer complaints about gum bleeding.

·        It was mentioned in a conference held in Atlanta, America, in relation to teeth, that there are such substances in Miswak that protect the teeth from weakness, and Miswak is more beneficial than all types of medications used for cleaning teeth.

·        Miswak removes the layers of plaque on teeth.

·        Miswak protects the teeth from breaking or chipping.

·        When patients of continuous cold and flu who are unable to remove phlegm, use Miswak, the phlegm is removed; and thus, they begin to feel lighter in the head.

·        It is proven from the experience and research of pathologists that Miswak is an excellent cure for continuous cold.

Conclusion

Miswak is more than just a natural toothbrush. It is a timeless Sunnah that carries spiritual, physical and medical benefits. From cleansing the mouth to pleasing Allah Almighty, from strengthening the gums to improving overall health, Miswak has been praised by the Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ واٰلہ وسلم and supported by modern scientific research. Using Miswak correctly, with proper method and consistency, ensures one benefits fully from its blessings. To fulfill this beautiful Sunnah with the best quality, Maktaba-tul-Madinah offers premium Miswaks that adhere to the highest standards of purity