Baab Siwaak wa Sunnan al-Wudhoo [Chapter of
Brushing the Teeth and the Sunnah Aspects of the Wudhoo]
1-Siwaak is the stick and Miswaak
refers to the action of brushing ones teeth. Therefore, the Sunnah refers to
Miswaak (keeping dental hygiene and a pleasant smell from the mouth) which is
the action and not necessarily using the wooden Siwaak.
NOTE: some people believe that
Siwaak can only be taken from a particular type of tree but Uthaymeen states
that any twig of any tree can be used for brushing providing it means the
conditions (see point 3).
2-Uthaymeen states that the Siwaak
is mentioned here and comes after Istinjaa because it is connected to purifying
before making Wudhoo. As for Istinjaa then it is to remove dirt but Siwaak is
to complete cleanliness and personal hygiene. Both of these are practiced at
any time whereas Istinjaa is specified in its place and time. Uthaymeen also
states that Siwaak and some aspects of the Wudhoo are part of the Fitrah, thus
they have been mentioned together.
3-Conditions for the Siwaak:
-It
must be soft and not from a tree that is too firm.
-It
must moist with bristles and thus able to clean.
-It
can’t be harmful to the body or create a bad smell.
-It
doesn’t disintegrate whilst using it, thus being too soft is not befitting.
-Some
of the Hanbalees said it must be from wood and even using the finger doesn’t
suffice. However, Uthaymeen states that the Hadeeth of Alee where he saw the
Prophet use his finger to clean his teeth in Wudhoo is Hasan and sufficient
proof.
4-Some scholars have stated that the
Miswaak (action of brushing) must be via a Siwaak (a twig used as a brush) and
anything else will not be sufficient. ‘Uthaymeen states that the correct
opinion is that anything used to clean the mouth is covered in its meaning and
virtue. This is because it is reported that ‘Alee used to use his fingers to
clean and brush his mouth whilst making Wudhoo.
5-The ruling on Miswaak is that it
is Sunnah. Uthaymeen states that the evidence for this is the statement of the
Prophet, “If I had not feared hardship for my Ummah, I would have made it obligatory
for them with every Salaat.”
6-Siwaak is Sunnah and can be done
at any time when there is a need, it Pleases the Lord and cleans the mouth
which brings about benefit in both the Dunya and the Akhirah.
7-Miswaak during fasting has two
views in the Madhab:
-Some
of the Hanbalees said it is permitted to make Siwaak before Zawwaal because of
the general evidences recommending it however after az-Zawwaal it becomes
Makrooh. The reason being is because of the Hadeeth of ‘Alee, “If you are
fasting then do not make Siwaak after Zawwaal.” Also, the fasting persons
breathe is sweeter to Allaah than that of musk so by doing Siwaak one is
changing the smell of ones breathe and this is disliked, just like it is
disliked to wash the blood of the martyr before burial.
-The
second view from the Hanbalees is that it is permitted unrestrictedly to make Miswaak
whilst fasting due to the general evidences permitting it and the lack of real
evidence making it Makrooh. As for the points mentioned by the other group of
scholars then we respond to them by the following:
-The
Hadeeth of Alee is weak, classified weak by Imaam al-Bayhaqee himself and he is
the one that collected it.
-As for
the analogy with the martyr then this is incorrect Qiyaas because the Ahadeeth
clearly state that he will be raised whilst with his injuries, similar to the
one who dies in Hajj will be raised performing the Talbiyyah.
-Also
there is a contradiction, how can one say that before Zawwal they are not
removing the smell of musk from their mouths? Some people have a foul smell
even before Zawwal whilst others never have a bad smell. So attaching the
ruling to Zawwal has no real basis.
-All in
all, the Hadeeth of Aamir bin Rabee’ is clear, that he saw the prophet
performing Siwaak whilst he was fasting an innumerable amount of times.
Al-Bukhaaree said about this Hadeeth that it shows that there is no set number
or limit in time i.e. it is permitted even after az-Zawwaal.
So al-Uthaymeen supports the view
that it is permitted at all times for the fasting person.
8-Times when Miswaak is recommended:
-During
or after Wudhoo
-When
the time for Salaat is near or when is about to begin. Note: some of the
scholars understood the recommendation of doing it after Wudhoo to mean before
Salaat, however it is more correct with Ibn al-‘Uthaymeen that the two are
separate because one may perform Wudhoo and it would be recommended to make
Siwaak and there may be a long period of time before he actually prays, in
which case it would be recommended to perform Siwaak again.
-When
waking up. Some said this refers to the morning, however with Ibn al-Uthaymeen
it refers to all forms of sleep, whether it is sleep of the night or the day.
As Shaykh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah stated, the Sharee’ah doesn’t differentiate
between two things which are identical in ruling; in this case sleep or the day
or the night.
-To
change the smell of ones breathe. Ibn al-Uthaymeen says this is the most general
one, whenever one needs to remove a bad smell, it is recommended for him to
brush his teeth.
9-How to brush:
-some
said teeth are brushed horizontally and your tongue is also brushed,
vertically. Others said the opposite. Ibn al-Uthaymeen said one brushes
according to ones needs and preference.
-It is
also recommended that one begins brushing from the right side of his mouth.
-Some
said one must use the left hand to brush, because the Sharee’ah encourages
using the left hand to remove dirt from the body, this is the opinion of the
Hanbalees. Others said it is an act which may be rewarded thus he should use
the right hand. Some of the Maalikees said the two situations are different; so
if one is brushing to remove dirt he uses the left hand but if he wishes to
purify and refresh he should use the right hand. Ibn al-Uthaymeen said the
matter is broad.
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