THE miswak (miswaak, siwak, sewak) is a teeth cleaning twig derived from peelo, zaitoon (olive), bitam, walnut or any bitter tree. Ahadith Ayesha (may Allah be pleased with her) quoted Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as having said: “Ten things are part of one's natural disposition: Trimming the moustache, growing a beard, (using) the miswak, sniffing water, cutting the nails, washing hands, plucking armpits, shaving pubic hair and conserving water.” (Muslim) At another place, Ayesha (may Allah be pleased with her) said: “The Prophet (pbuh) said, “It (i.e. siwak) is a purification for the mouth and it is a way of seeking the pleasure of God.” Ata' and Qatada said there is no harm in swallowing the resultant saliva. Ibn Masood said: “I always kept a stock of peelo miswaks for the Prophet (pbuh).” (Sahih Bukhari) The Prophet (peace be upon him) also praised and recommended peelo tree twig for miswak purposes. Furthermore, the Prophet (pbuh) highlighted its importance, saying: “If it were not that it would create hardship for my people, I would have ordered them to use miswak with every ablution and with every prayer.” (Sahih Bukhari) The types of recommended miswak are: Peelo tree, olive tree, walnut tree, bitam or any bitter tree. Miswak of the peelo The best type of miswak is that which is taken from the peelo tree. In the Kitaab Ta-heelul Manaafi it is mentioned that the miswak of the peelo tree is excellent for obtaining the glow or glitter of the teeth. Miswak of olive tree The Prophet (pbuh) has spoken highly of the miswak of this tree as well. The following Hadith brings out the significance of the olive tree miswak: “Use the miswak of the olive tree. It is the miswak of a mubarak (auspicious or gracious) tree. It purifies and makes wholesome the mouth. It removes the yellowishness of the teeth. It is my miswak and the miswak of the Prophets who came before me.” (Muntakhab) Miswak of the bitam tree In another Hadith it is stated that in the absence of peelo, olive tree miswak should be used, and in the absence of the olive miswak, the bitam tree miswak should be used (Muntakhab) Miswak of a bitter tree If none of the three mentioned miswak is available, a miswak of any bitter tree should be used. Thereafter it is recommended to use a miswak of a bitter tree because it removes odor of the mouth to a greater extent.” In Fatawa Alamgiri it is stated that the miswak of a bitter tree makes the mouth wholesome, strengthens the teeth and the gums. Miswak of the walnut tree Mistwak of the walnut tree has also been recommended. It is forbidden to use a miswak from a poisonous tree. Scientific studies The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended the use of the miswak in 1986 and in 2000 an international consensus report on oral hygiene concluded that further research was needed to document the effect of the miswak. A 2003 scientific study comparing the use of miswak with ordinary toothbrushes concluded that the results clearly were in favor of the users who had been using the miswak, provided they had been given proper instruction on how to use it. Dr. Rami Mohammed Diabi, who spent more than 17 years researching the effects of miswak on health, and especially its anti-addiction effects on smokers (curative and preventive sides), has opened a field of science and research with his last publication: “Miswak Medicine Theory” or Sewak Puncture medicine which led him to what is called Beyond Sewak: World of Science and Research. Miswak also is contributing to the fight against desertification, thereby affecting our environment and global climate. Studies indicate that Salvadora persica extract is somewhat comparable to other oral disinfectants and anti-plaque agents like Triclosan and Chlorhexidine Gluconate if used in a very high concentration. Composition of miswak The components in a miswak are: fluoride, silica, tannic acid, resins, alkaloids (salvadorine), volatile oils (sinigrin), sulfur vitamin C, sodium bicarbonate, chlorides, calcium, benzylisothiocyanate (BIT), and others including salicylic acids, sterols, trimethylamine, saponins, flavenoids. Some of these components are stain removers and teeth whiteners, some protect teeth against caries, some are bactericidal and antiseptic, some help in healing and to repair tissues, some promote remineralization (building) of tooth enamel, and some give the pleasant taste and smell. Advantages of miswak n It strengthens gums and prevents tooth decay. n It assists in eliminating toothaches and prevents further increase of decay which has already set in. n It sharpens the memory. n It creates a fragrance in the mouth. n It eliminates bad odors and improves the sense of taste. n It is a cure for headaches. n It creates lustre (noor) on the face of the one who continually uses it. n It causes the teeth to glow. n It strengthens the eyesight. n It assists in digestion. n It clears the voice. n The greatest benefit of using miswak is gaining the pleasure of Allah. n The reward of Salat (prayers) is multiplied 70 times if miswak was used before it. Times when using miswak is Sunnah n For the recitation of the Qur'an. n For the recitation of Hadith. n When the mouth emits bad odor. n For the learning or teaching of virtues of Islam. n For making Dhikr (remebrance of Allah, meditation). n After entering ones home. n Before entering any gathering. n When experiencing pangs of hunger and thirst. n After the signs of death are evident. n Before meals. n Before undertaking a journey. n On returning from a journey. n Before sleeping. n Upon awakening. The following dua'a should be recited when using the miswak: “O Allah, purify my mouth: Enlighten my heart: purify my body; and make my body prohibited to the Fire.” Siwak should be used moderately, because it might cause the coating of the teeth to wear away and thus the teeth will be susceptible to the hot vapors or gases that ascend from the stomach and to all kinds of dirt. – The writer can be contacted on [email protected] __
