Islamic references
This page is a reading room for Muslims who want to see the Islamic references behind Miswak Ritual. All texts below are quoted from the booklet 'Virtues of Miswak' (Maktaba-tul-Madinah, Dawat-e-Islami) without changes to wording.
Publisher: Maktaba-tul-Madinah · Category: Fazail · PDF pages: 31 · First published: 10 Dec 2016 · Last updated: 15 Dec 2020
All rights and content belong to Dawat-e-Islami and Maktaba-tul-Madinah. This page only shows selected quotations for reference.
Deeds are based upon intentions, if there is no good intention, then no reward is gained. Therefore, before using Miswak, make the following intention: In order to gain reward of the Sunnah, I will use Miswak and through this, I will clean my mouth for reciting the Glorious Quran, Zikr of Allah and Salat-'Alan-Nabi.
Virtues of Miswak – pp. 2–3
1. Offering 2 Rak'aat having performed Miswak are better than 70 Rak'aat without Miswak. (Attargheeb Wattarheeb, vol. 1, pp. 102, Hadees 18)
2. Offering Salah having performed Miswak is 70 times greater than the Salah performed without [using] Miswak. (Shu'ab-ul-Iman, vol. 3, pp. 26, Hadees 2774)
3. Four blessed actions are the Sunnah of the blessed Rusul:
• Wearing 'Itr
• Performing Nikah
• Using Miswak
• Having modesty.
(Musnad Imam Ahmad Bin Hanbal, vol. 9, pp. 147, Hadees 23641)
4. Perform Miswak! Don't approach me with yellow teeth. (Jam'-ul-Jawami', vol. 1, pp. 389, Hadees 2875)
5. There is a cure for every disease in Miswak other than death. (Jami' Sagheer, pp. 297, Hadees 4840)
6. If I did not feel that it would be difficult upon my Ummah, I would have ordered them to perform Miswak with every Wudu. (Sahih Bukhari, vol. 1, pp. 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. (Musnad Imam Ahmad Bin Hanbal, vol. 2, pp. 438, Hadees 5869)
Ameer-ul-Mu`mineen Sayyiduna 'Ali has stated, 'Three things strengthen the memory and removes phlegm: (1) Miswak (2) Observing Sawm (3) Recitation of the Glorious Quran.' (Ihya-ul-'Uloom, vol. 1, pp. 364)
In Bahar-e-Shari'at, volume 1, page 288, published by Maktaba-tul-Madinah; the publishing department of Dawat-e-Islami, it is stated: Whoever is habitual of [using] Miswak will be fortunate to recite the Kalimah at the time of death and whoever uses opium will not be fortunate to recite the Kalimah at the time of death.
Sayyiduna Imam Shaafi'i has stated: Four things increase intellect: (1) Refraining from useless talk (2) The use of Miswak (3) The company of pious people (4) To act upon the knowledge that one has been blessed with. (Hayat-ul-Haywan lid-Dameeri, vol. 2, pp. 166)
Sayyiduna Zayd Bin Khalid Juhani has stated, 'The Beloved Rasool wouldn't leave his blessed home for any Salah until he had performed Miswak.' (Al-Mu'jam-ul-Kabeer lit-Tabarani, vol. 5, pp. 254, Hadees 5261)
Performing Miswak on awakening is Sunnah. It is narrated from Sayyidatuna 'Aaishah Siddiqah: Miswak and water for Wudu used to be placed for the Beloved Rasool. When he would wake up in the night, then after relieving himself, he would at first perform Miswak. (Abu Dawood, vol. 2, Hadees 56)
In another blessed Hadees, it is also narrated from Sayyidatuna 'Aaishah Siddiqah: Whenever the Beloved Rasool would awaken from sleep; day or night, he would perform Miswak before Wudu. (Ibid, Hadees 57)
Sayyiduna Shurayh Bin Haani narrates that I asked Sayyidatuna 'Aaishah Siddiqah, 'When the Beloved Rasool used to enter the blessed home, what was the first action he used to do?' She replied, 'Miswak.' (Sahih Muslim, pp. 152, Hadees 253)
It is narrated from Sayyiduna 'Aamir Bin Rabee'ah: I saw the Beloved Rasool perform Miswak many times when observing Sawm. (Sunan-ut-Tirmizi, vol. 2, pp. 176, Hadees 725)
It is not Makruh [disliked] to perform Miswak whilst observing Sawm, in fact just as it is Sunnah on other days, it is also Sunnah when observing Sawm. Whether the Miswak is dry or wet, be it wet due to water, whether it is used before Zawaal or after; it is not Makruh at any time. (Bahar-e-Shari'at, vol. 1, pp. 99)
1. Miswak should be of Peelu or bitter wood such as olive etc.
2. The thickness of a Miswak should be equal to that of the small finger.
3. It shouldn't be longer than a hand-span, otherwise Satan sits on it.
4. It's bristles should be soft because hard bristles cause gaps between the teeth and gums.
5. Miswak being fresh is better otherwise make it soft by placing it in a glass of water for a while.
6. Doctors advise to cut the bristles of Miswak daily.
7. Performing Miswak while holding it in a fist may cause piles.
8. Miswak is a Sunnat-e-Qabliyyah [...] therefore perform Miswak before starting Wudu, then wash both hands three times and (complete Wudu) as per usual. However, it becomes Sunnah Muakkadah when there is a bad breath. (Fatawa Razawiyyah, vol. 1, pp. 837)
9. 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 drowned in the sea. (Bahar-e-Shari'at, volume 1, pages 294-295)
From the section '25 Blessings of Miswak' – Haashiyah Tahtaawi
1. Make the usage of blessed Miswak necessary for you. Do not be heedless of it. Use it regularly because the pleasure of Allah is in it.
2. Regular use of Miswak makes it easy to earn a living and brings blessings in sustenance.
3. It removes headache.
4. It removes phlegm.
5. It improves eyesight.
6. It maintains the proper functioning of the stomach.
7. It energizes 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 brings easiness at the time of death and reminds one of the Kalimah at such time.
14. It makes him cross the Pul-Siraat with the lightning speed.
15. The Miswak-using person is helped in the fulfilment of his needs.
16. He gets peace and comfort in the grave.
17. The gates of Heaven are opened for him.
18. He is pure at the time of departing this world.
19. The biggest benefit is that the pleasure of Allah is in it. (Haashiyah Tahtaawi, pp. 68-69)
For full context, detailed references and additional chapters, please download the original booklet from Dawat-e-Islami.
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