Source: Fatāwā Amunpuri by Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amunpuri
Is it Sunnah to use the miswāk upon waking up in the last part of the night?
Yes, it is Sunnah to use the miswāk upon waking in the last part of the night, and the same ruling applies to using a toothbrush and toothpaste.
❀ Sayyidah ʿĀʾishah رضي الله عنها reports:
"We used to prepare the miswāk and water for ablution for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. He would wake up during the night whenever Allah willed and would use the miswāk and perform ablution."
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 746/139
❀ Sayyidunā Ḥudhayfah ibn al-Yamān رضي الله عنه said:
"When the Prophet ﷺ would wake up during the night, he would cleanse his mouth with the miswāk."
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 889; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 255/46
❖ The wording of Sunan Abī Dāwūd (ḥadīth 56 – chain ḥasan) states:
**"When he ﷺ would wake up during the night, he would go to relieve himself and then use the miswāk."**
❖ Question:
Is it Sunnah to use the miswāk upon waking up in the last part of the night?
✿ Answer:
Yes, it is Sunnah to use the miswāk upon waking in the last part of the night, and the same ruling applies to using a toothbrush and toothpaste.
✿ Evidences from the Sunnah:
❀ Sayyidah ʿĀʾishah رضي الله عنها reports:
"We used to prepare the miswāk and water for ablution for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. He would wake up during the night whenever Allah willed and would use the miswāk and perform ablution."
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 746/139❀ Sayyidunā Ḥudhayfah ibn al-Yamān رضي الله عنه said:
"When the Prophet ﷺ would wake up during the night, he would cleanse his mouth with the miswāk."
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 889; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 255/46❖ The wording of Sunan Abī Dāwūd (ḥadīth 56 – chain ḥasan) states:
**"When he ﷺ would wake up during the night, he would go to relieve himself and then use the miswāk."**
Conclusion:
- Using miswāk upon waking for night prayer (Tahajjud) is a confirmed Sunnah.
- The same ruling applies to modern alternatives like toothpaste and toothbrush, provided they fulfill the same hygienic purpose.
- It reflects the purity and readiness of the believer in preparing to stand before Allah during the night.
