Commentary on the Hadith concerning using Siwaak at all times and using someone else’s Siwaak

Praise be to Allah,

 

Narrated ‘Aa’ishah (May Allah be please with her):

“Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Aboo Bakr entered upon the Prophet (PBUH) while I was supporting the Prophet (PBUH) on my chest. „Abdur-Rahmaan had a fresh Siwaak then and he was cleaning his teeth with it. Allaah‟s Messenger (PBUH) looked at it, so I took the Siwaak, cut it (chewed it with my teeth), shook it and made it soft (with water), and then gave it to the Prophet (PBUH) who cleaned his teeth with it. I had never seen Allaah‟s Messenger (PBUH) cleaning his teeth in a better way than that moment. After finishing brushing his teeth, he lifted his hand or finger and said thrice, “O Allaah! Let me be with the highest companions,” and then died.

 

‘Aa’ishah used to say, “He died while he was resting between my chest and chin.”[i]

 

In another version: Narrated ‘Aa’ishah (May Allah be please with her): “…I saw the Prophet (PBUH) looking at it (i.e., Siwaak) and I knew that he loved the Siwaak, so I said to him, „Shall I take it for you? ‟ He nodded in agreement…”[ii]

 

 

Important Points Derived from the Hadeeth:

 

1. The use of fresh miswak.

 

2. Preparing the miswak for use [for example, cutting the used end or softening the end before using it].

 

3. The permissibility of using the miswak of someone else, after cleaning it and preparing it (for use by the second person).

 

4. Acting upon what one understands through indirect indications or signals [without words being spoken].

 

5. Ar-Rafeeq al-A‟laa: This is a reference to those mentioned in Soorah an-Nisaa the words:

 

“And whoso obeys Allaah and the Messenger (Muhammad), Then they will be In the company of those on whom Allaah has bestowed his Grace, of the Prophets, the Siddiqoon, the martyrs, and the righteous. And How excellent These companions are!”[ Translation Soorah An-Nisaa 4:69]

 

6. The Prophet’s love for the Siwaak.

 

7. The Prophet’s heart and self-composure as he did not neglect using the siwaak and supplicating while dying.

 

8. The excellence of Aisha for her good relationship with the prophet (PBUH) and his death in her lap, in her house, and on her day.

9.  The prophet (PBUH) brushed the best way so he could meet his Lord upon the most complete state of purification and cleanliness.

 

Allah Knows Best.

 

Copied from Sources:

Arousing the Intellects with the Explanation of Umdatul Ahkaam. The Book Of At-Taharaah by Allama Sheikh Salih Ibn Uthaymeen (May Allah have mercy on him). page 59

Tayseer al-Allaam Sharh Umdatul-Ahkaam by Shaykh Abdullah ibn Abdur – Rahmaan Aal Bassaam. Page 44

 

 

[i] Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 5, Book 64, Hadeeth Number 4438, p. 441

[ii] Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 5, Book 64, Hadeeth Number 4449, p. 446