Many people have the misconception that using the ‘siwak’ (‘miswak’ – teeth cleaning twig) while fasting is discouraged. Could you just clarify this point please?

 


A. (Dr. Zakir): There are many people who think that using ‘siwak’ while you’re fasting is discouraged. It is based on the Hadith in which Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said,

“…By Him in Whose Hands my soul is’ The unpleasant smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk…”

(SAHEEH AL-BUKHARI, VOLUME 3, BOOK OF FASTING, HADITH 1904 AND 1894)

Now based on this, people think that if you use ‘siwak’, the bad breath that normally comes in a person who fasts, will not be there and Allah سبحانه و تعالى will not find their breath more pleasing than the smell of musk. And based on this, they think it is discouraged. In fact, we should realize that when the person is using the ‘siwak’, it does not stop the bad breath which normally comes when a person fasts. But when you use the ‘siwak’, it normally massages the gums, and removes any food particles in between the teeth like how the toothbrush is, somewhat similar to that. The bad breath of fasting comes from the stomach because no food enters the stomach and that’s how it comes. So no way does it contradict that. And furthermore, our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said,

“If I had not found it hard for my followers or the people, I would have ordered them to clean their teeth with ‘Siwak’ for every prayer.”

(SAHEEH AL-BUKHARI, VOLUME 2, HADITH 887)

that means how ‘wudhu’ (ablution) is compulsory, so the Prophet ﷺ said, if it would not have been difficult for the ‘Ummah’, he would have made it compulsory to use the ‘siwak’ every time before prayer. And that means it is a recommended act. And if it wasn’t good for fasting he would have mentioned it, like how he mentioned for excessive sniffing of water while performing ‘wudhu’ during fasting which is mentioned in the Hadith where our beloved Prophet ﷺ said,

“Sniff up water freely (while making ‘wudhu’) unless you are fasting.”

(SUNAN ABI DAWUD, VOLUME 2, HADITH 2360)

that means sniffing water excessively is good, but don’t do it while fasting (do sniff water in your nose but not excessively) because there are dangers that it will go into the throat and may enter the stomach. So here too, if it was a disadvantage, the Prophet ﷺ would have mentioned it. So based on this, using ‘siwak’ is a ‘Sunnah’, it is ‘Mustahabb’ (recommended act), you should do it and Insha’Allah you will get reward for it.

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