2.   The honour of a Muslim stems from their faith and righteous actions, not from their money.

3.   The respect of a Muslim is permanent and not temporary. For this reason, a Muslim’s deceased body and grave are also treated with respect.

4.   Whoever considers a believer to be lowly, is himself dishonourable in the court of Allah. Even if a Muslim is poor, he is still honourable, dignified and deserving of being treated with great respect.^[1]

The saliva of a believer is worthy of respect

Let us now discuss a matter written in the book, Bahār-e-SharīꜤat. In summary, a miswak which has been utilised to the extent it can no longer be used, due to becoming short for example, should either be buried or put in a respectable place. It is not right for it just to be thrown away.

What is the wisdom behind this much etiquette with a miswak? Mufti Amjad ꜤAlī AꜤẓamī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه has written two points regarding this:

1.   Miswak is a tool for performing a sunnah. (This small piece of wood becomes worthy of respect due to its connection with a sunnah of the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, as Muslims use it as a tool to fulfil this blessed practice.)

2.   The second wisdom is that the saliva of a Muslim is pure, and when the miswak is used in the mouth of a Muslim, this mixes with it. Showing respect to this saliva, the miswak should either be buried or placed in a respectable place, so it is not disrespected in any way.

Mufti Amjad ꜤAlī AꜤẓamī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه further said, “Scholars mention the forbiddance of spitting in a bathroom. This is because a Muslim’s saliva