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Mlswask of the Walnut Tree
Mistwaak of the Walnut tree has been recommended in the Kitaab, Taise.
NIYYAT OR INTENTION OF USING THE MISWAAK
"Niyyat of using the Miswaak should be made prior to its use."
(SHARE MINHAAJ)
AADAAB (Etiquette) OF THE MISWAAK
(1). The Miswaak should be a straight twig, devoid of roughness.
(2). The Miswaak should be clean.
(3). The Miswaak should not be too hard nor too soft.
(4). The Miswaak should not be used while one is lying down.
(5). The new Miswaak should be approximately 8 inches (a hand-span) in length.
(6). The Miswaak should be the thickness of the forefinger.
(7). Before using the Miswaak, it should be washed.
(8). After use it should be washed as well.
(9). The Miswaak should not be sucked.
(10). The Miswaak should be placed vertically when not in use. It should not be thrown onto the ground.
(11). If the Miswaak is dry it should be moistened with water prior to use. This is Mustahab. It is preferable to moisten it with Rose water.
(12). The Miswaak should not be used in the toilet.
(13). The Miswaak should be used at least thrice (brush three times) for each section of the mouth, e.g. brush the upper layer of teeth thrice, then the lower layer thrice, etc.
(14). The Miswaak should not be used at both ends.
(15). The Miswaak should not be taken from an unknown tree as it may be poisonous.
ADVANTAGES AND BENEFITS OF THE MISWAAK
(1). Eliminates bad odour and improves the sense of taste
Allamah Ibn Daqiq (R) says: "The wisdom underlying the use of the Miswaak after rising from sleep is that during sleep bad vapours rise from the stomach towards the mouth. This causes bad odour in the mouth as well as a change in the sense of taste. Use of the Miswaak eliminates the bad odor and rectifies the change which occurred in the taste."
(NALE WA TA'LEEQ)
(2). Sharpens the Memory
Hadhrat Ali (R) said that "Miswaak sharpens the memory.
(3). Sharpens the Intelligence
"Four things increase the Intelligence—
(i). Shunning of nonsensical talks
(ii). Use of the Miswaak
(iii). Sitting in the company of the pious, and
(iv). Sitting in the company of the Ulama."
(TIBBE NABAWI)
(4). Eliminates Slime
Hadhrat Ali (R) said that "Miswaak removes slime."
(IHYA-UL-ULOOM)
(5). A Cure for Illness
Hadhrat Aisha (R) said that "Miswaak (its constant use) is a cure for all illness excepting Death."
(REPORTED BY DAILAMI IN FIRDAUS)
(6). Miswaak creates fragrance in the mouth.
(7). Miswaak strengthens the gums.
(8). Miswaak prevents tooth decay.
(9). Miswaak prevents further increase of decay which has already set in the teeth.
(10). Miswaak is a cure for headaches.
(11). Miswaak assists in eliminating toothaches.
(12). Miswaak creates lustre (Noor) on the face of the one who continually uses it.
(13). Miswaak causes the teeth to glow.
(14). Miswaak removes the yellowishness of the teeth.
(15). Miswaak strengthens the eye-sight.
(16). Miswaak is beneficial for the health of the entire body.
(17). Miswaak assists in the process of Digestion.
(18). Miswaak is a cure for a certain mouth disease known as Qilaa'- This is stated in Hujjatul Baaleghah.
(19). Miswaak clears the voice. This is stated in TibbeNabawi.
(20). Miswaak facilitates the appetite (Tibbe Nabawi).
(21). Miswaak increases the eloquence of one's speech.
Abu Hurairah (R) said that "Miswaak increases the eloquence of a person." (AL-JAAMI')
(22). Miswaak (i.e. its constant use) will be ~ factor to ease the pangs of Death. The continuous use of the Miswaak makes it easy for the Rooh (Soul) to depart from the body when its appointed time arrives. (SHARHUS SUDOOR)
(23). Miswaak increases the Thawaab (reward) of Salaat (prayer) from seventy times to four hundred times. (HADITH)
(24). Miswaak is a factor which will earn higher ranks in Jannat for the one who uses it
(25). The Angels sing the praises of the one who uses the Miswaak.
(26). Use of the Miswaak displeases Shaitaan.
(27). Use of the Miswaak graces one with the companionship of the Angels.
(28). And, the greatest benefit of using the Miswaak is the attainment of Allah Ta'ala's Pleasure.
SUBSTITUTES FOR THE MISWAAK
(1). The Fingers
In the case of the non-availability of the Miswaak the fingers should be used to cleanse the teeth. This method will serve the purpose of the Miswaak as far as the
Sawaab is concerned, i.e. if a Miswaak is not availa e the Sawaab (Reward) attendant to the Miswaak will be realised by using the fingers as a substitute provided that Niyyat (intention) of Miswaak be made when the fingers are used for this purpose.
"Rubbing the teeth with the forefinger and the thumb
(MUHEET)
Hadhrat Amr Bin Auf Muzni (R) states that the fingers could be used as an adequate substitute for the Miswaak in the case of the latter's absence.
"Imam Tahtaawi (R) says: 'The promised Reward (of using the Miswaak) shall be obtained in the event of the non-availability of the Miswaak, and not in the event of its availability'."
In other words, if a Miswaak is available and you are able to use same then the Sawaab of it will not be realised by using a substitute.
(2). Cloth
A coarse piece of cloth may also be used in case of the non-availability of a Miswaak. Those who have no teeth should use the fingers or a cloth as substitutes for the Miswaak, and they will obtain the Sawaab. But Niyyat of the Miswaak should be made.
"And, the significance of the Miswaak shall be obtained even though the finger or a cloth be used in the event of the non-availability of the Miswaak."
(SHURAMBALI)
(3). Toothbrush
If the toothbrush is made of bristles (pig's hair) then its use is not permissible. If bristles are not used, the use of the toothbrush is permissible. However, the toothbrush will not serve as a substitute in the case of the Miswaak being available. If a Miswaak is available Reward will not be realised by using the toothbrush. The same applies to toothpowder or any other means of cleansing the teeth. It should be remembered here that during the time of our Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) substitutes, e.g. toothpowder, etc., existed, but our Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) never equated these with the Miswaak. Therefore, the argument of the modernist that the toothbrush today takes the place of the Miswaak is fallacious and a good example of the apologetic attitude adopted by modern Muslims of today.
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~Bud-haal Pakistan, Khush-haal Hukmuraan.~
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