VIRTUES OF MISWAK // SIWAK
The miswak (miswaak, siwak, sewak, Arabic: سواك or مسواك) is a teeth cleaning twig made from the Salvadora persica tree (known as arāk, أراك, in Arabic). It is reputed to have been used over 7000 years ago. Miswak is basically a pencil-sized stick 15 to 20 cm long with a diameter of 1 to 1.5 cm from Arak (Salvadora persica) or the Toothbrush tree.They are used as an oral hygiene tool mostly in the Middle Eastern.
But above all it was a SUNNAH of our prophet Muhammed (sal). the Prophet said, "Were it not (for the fear) of overburdening my Ummah, I would have ordered them to (brush their teeth with) Siwak at every Salat. (Sahih Muslim) A'ishah narrates that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "The siwak is a means of purifying the mouth and pleasing the Rabb." (Nasai).
The Ulama Say that there at least 70 benifits of using the Siwak / Miswak. We will look at some of them :
1. It increases barakah in wealth
2. Improves Memory
3. The Person is able to recite the kalima at the time of death.
Sadr al-Shariah Allama Amjad Ali Al-Aazami stated: The Masha’ikh have mentioned that a person (believer) who is habitual of making Miswak, will be blessed with the opportunity of being able to recite the Kalima at the time of his death and that person who uses opium, will not be blessed with the opportunity of reciting the Kalima at the time of his death. [Bahar-e-Shari’at, Vol. 2, Page 288]
4. Improves Eyesight.
5. The reward of Salaah increases 70 times.
Abu Nu’aym narrates on the authority of Hadrat Jaabir (Radi Allahu Anhu) that Rasoolullah ﷺ said, ‘To perform 2 Raka’ats after performing Miswak is more exalted than 70 Raka’ats which is performed without performing Miswak.’ [Al-Targhib wa at-Tarheeb, Vol. 1, Page 102, Hadith 18]
It is unfortunate that these days this Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ is largely forgotten. May Allah help us revive this Sunnah. Ameen
