Excerpted from the book “Ṣaḥīḥ Namāz-e-Nabawī ﷺ” authored by Shaykh ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ʿAzīz and published by Maktabah Dār al-Andalus.
❀ The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
السواك مطهرة للفم مرضاة للرب
“The miswāk purifies the mouth and pleases the Lord.”
❀ The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
لولا أن أشق علىٰ أمتي لأمرتهم بالسواك مع كل صلاة
“Had I not feared hardship upon my Ummah, I would have commanded them to use the miswāk with every prayer.”
❀ Sayyidah ʿĀ’ishah رضي الله عنها narrated:
“Whenever the Prophet ﷺ entered his home, he would begin by using the miswāk.”
❀ Using the miswāk while fasting is permissible, as both of the aforementioned ḥadīths are general and apply to the states of fasting and non-fasting.
❀ There is no authentic ḥadīth that prohibits the use of miswāk while fasting.
❀ Sayyidunā Ḥudhayfah رضي الله عنه reported:
“Whenever the Prophet ﷺ got up at night, he would use the miswāk.”
❀ The miswāk should be used on the tongue, around it, and up to the throat.
❀ There is no specific requirement for the miswāk to be of a certain length, whether long or short.
① Miswāk is a source of physical purification and spiritual reward.
② The Prophet ﷺ greatly emphasized its use, especially before prayers.
③ It is permissible to use miswāk while fasting.
④ Miswāk was part of the Prophet’s ﷺ daily and nightly routine.
⑤ Proper use includes cleaning the tongue and throat area.
⑥ No specific length for the miswāk is stipulated in Sharīʿah.
❖ Prophetic Sayings on the Excellence of Miswāk
❀ The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
السواك مطهرة للفم مرضاة للرب
“The miswāk purifies the mouth and pleases the Lord.”
Reference: an-Nasa’i: Book of Ṭahārah, Chapter: Encouragement on Using Miswāk – 5 (Ṣaḥīḥ)
❀ The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
لولا أن أشق علىٰ أمتي لأمرتهم بالسواك مع كل صلاة
“Had I not feared hardship upon my Ummah, I would have commanded them to use the miswāk with every prayer.”
Reference: Bukhārī: Book of Jumuʿah, Chapter: Using the Miswāk on Friday – 887
Reference: Muslim: 252
❀ Sayyidah ʿĀ’ishah رضي الله عنها narrated:
“Whenever the Prophet ﷺ entered his home, he would begin by using the miswāk.”
Reference: Muslim: Book of Ṭahārah, Chapter: Using the Miswāk – 253/44
❖ Ruling on Miswāk While Fasting
❀ Using the miswāk while fasting is permissible, as both of the aforementioned ḥadīths are general and apply to the states of fasting and non-fasting.
❀ There is no authentic ḥadīth that prohibits the use of miswāk while fasting.
❖ Night Practice of the Prophet ﷺ
❀ Sayyidunā Ḥudhayfah رضي الله عنه reported:
“Whenever the Prophet ﷺ got up at night, he would use the miswāk.”
Reference: Bukhārī: Book of Wuḍū’, Chapter: Using the Miswāk – 245
Reference: Muslim: 255
❖ How to Use the Miswāk
❀ The miswāk should be used on the tongue, around it, and up to the throat.
Reference: Bukhārī: Book of Wuḍū’, Chapter: Using the Miswāk – 244
Reference: Muslim: 254
❖ Length of the Miswāk
❀ There is no specific requirement for the miswāk to be of a certain length, whether long or short.
✔ Summary:
① Miswāk is a source of physical purification and spiritual reward.
② The Prophet ﷺ greatly emphasized its use, especially before prayers.
③ It is permissible to use miswāk while fasting.
④ Miswāk was part of the Prophet’s ﷺ daily and nightly routine.
⑤ Proper use includes cleaning the tongue and throat area.
⑥ No specific length for the miswāk is stipulated in Sharīʿah.
