ALMISKEENAH

 

“O Muslims! Allah Most High has made this day a day of Eid. So have a bath on this day, whoever has perfume should apply it, and use the miswak." (Ibn Majah)

…..and use MISWAK 

 

Salvadora persica, or Arak, is the gnarled scrubby tree most commonly used for Miswak. Other types of wood that are suitable are the Peelo, Bitam Zaitun, Walnut, and any bitter variety, but not the poisonous wood of Pomegranate, Bamboo, Raihan or Chambelie. Both the twigs and the flexible roots can be used for the Miswak. It truly is a miracle brush.

 

 

It is a long held tradition for brothers patiently sitting at strategic positions selling Miswak outside the Haramain. The art of displaying and preparing the various types having been handed down from father to son for generations. The best type is called Hanash, which is usually wrapped in brown paper to maintain its freshness, and one needs to ask to inspect the pungent lengths for the prime pieces. They can be purchased as one long piece, or cut to your required length by the brother. Many of the locals buy large quantities when they discover some of good quality and freeze it, ensuring its freshness for even months later. it is not advised to buy the pre-packaged bundles, which are often dry and brittle and often moldy from the inside as they are often soaked in water to try and maintain their freshness, but this is not conducive for the best Miswak. The best option for those who want to purchase good Miswak to take back to their home countries are the individually vacuum packed ones, available in boxes as well as in assorted flavours, which some people prefer. There are now numerous competitive online companies dealing in Miswak and its offshoot products.

•         It is one of the practices of the Ambiyyah, from the time of Adam Alihis Sallam

•        It purifies the mouth

•         It is a pleasure for our Creator, Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala

•         It increases the reward of Salat, some narrations say from seventy times, up to four hundred times, and Allah Ta’ala knows best

•         Jibreel Alaihis Sallam exhorted the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam to use it regularly, so much so that he feared that its use would be decreed obligatory the Ummah. Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam would have made using miswak compulsory but feared it would be a hardship on his Ummah. He SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said to Aishah Ummul Mu’minin RadhiAllahu anha that Miswak is a Sunnah for you and Fardh for me.

Times when our Blessed Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam used Miswak:

•         When reciting the Qur’an and Hadith

•         When the mouth emits an odour

•         For teaching or learning the virtues of the Deen

•          When engaged in Dhikrullah

•         After entering one’s home

•        Before entering a Deeni gathering

•         When experiencing pangs of hunger or thirst

•         After the signs of death are eveident

•          At the time of Sehri

•         Before meals

•          Before embarking on a journey, and upon returning from a journey

•          Before sleeping

•          Upon waking
  

Adab of Miswak:

• The Miswak ideally is a straight twig devoid of roughness.

• It should be clean and not too hard and not too soft

• It should not be used while lying down
  

• The length of the Miswak to be no longer than a span, that is the maximum distance between tips of the thumb and the little finger, and the thickness of the forefinger

• When using the Miswak hold it in such a way that the thumb and the little finger are under the stick, while the remaining fingers are above it.

• Place the Miswak vertically, the brush end uppermost, when not in use.

• It should be washed before use and washed after use, and not be sucked

• Brush the upper teeth thrice with a vertical motion (not horizontal), wash the lower teeth thrice, also in a vertical motion.

• Do not use the Miswak from both ends.

Benefits of Miswak:

• It eliminates bad mouth odour and improves the sense of taste. (a scientific evaluation)
  

• It sharpens the memory and intelligence

• It eliminates slime

• It is a cure for illness

• It creates a fragrance in the mouth

• Strengthens the gums

• Prevents tooth decay

• Is a cure for headaches

• It creates Nur on the face of the one who is constant with using it

• It causes the teeth to glow and removes the yellow stain

• It strengthens the eyesight

• It assists in the process of digestion

• It clears the voice

• It facilitates the appetite

• It increases the eloquence of one’s speech

• Its constant use eases the pangs of death, making it easy for the Ruh to depart from the body when its appointed time arrives

• Its use is a factor which will earn higher ranks in Jannah

• The Angels sing the praises of the one who uses Miswak

• Use of Miswak displeases Shaytan

• Use of Miswak graces one with the companionship of the Angels

• The greatest benefit is that the habit of using Miswak is pleasing to Allah Ta’ala and was used so much by our Beloved Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.

Du’a for using Miswak:  O Allah, purify my mouth, enlighten my heart, purify my body, and make my body unlawful to the Fire.

JUMA’AH MUBARAK and happy brushing to higher and higher in Jannah! Insha’Allah. How blessed we are to be of the Ummah of Al-Mustafa SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.

Alhumdulillahi Rabbil Aalameen.

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.  May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen.