14 Madani pearls of Miswak

1.         Miswak should be of Peelu or bitter wood such as olive etc.

The thickness of a Miswak should be equal to that of the small finger.

It shouldn’t be longer than a hand-span, otherwise Satan sits on it.

Its bristles should be soft because hard bristles cause gaps between the teeth and gums.

Miswak being fresh is better otherwise make it soft by placing it in a glass of water for a while.

Doctors advise to cut the bristles of Miswak daily.

The method of performing Miswak

Perform Miswak horizontally on teeth.

Whenever one performs Miswak, it should be done so at least thrice and washed each time.

Hold the Miswak in the right hand in such a manner that the little finger remains at the bottom, and the middle three fingers remain on it while the thumb remains at the top bristles end of Miswak. First clean the top right row of the teeth and then the top left row. Then clean the bottom right row and then the bottom left row of the teeth.

Performing Miswak while holding it in a fist may cause piles.

Miswak is a Sunnat-e-Qabliyyah [in other words, Miswak is a Sunnah before Wudu, not during Wudu] therefore perform Miswak before starting Wudu, then wash both hands three times and (complete Wudu) as per usual. However, it becomes Sunnah Muakkadah when there is a bad breath. (Fatawa Razawiyyah, vol. 1, pp. 837)

To learn various Sunan, obtain the following books, Bahar-e-Shari’ah part 16 comprising of 312 pages and Sunnatayn aur Adaab, comprising of 120   pages, both published by Maktaba-tul-Madinah, the publishing department