Commentary on the hadith of using miswaak on tongue

Praise be to Allah,

Narrated Abu Burdah: My father (Aboo Moosaa) said, “I came to the Prophet (PBUH) and saw him carrying a Siwaak in his hand and cleaning his teeth, saying, „U‟ „U‟, as if he was retching while the Siwaak was in his mouth.”[i]

In the narration of Muslim:

It was narrated that Abu Moosa (May Allah be please with him) said, “I entered upon the Prophet (PBUH) and the edge of the Siwaak was on his tongue.”[ii]

Important Points Derived from the Hadeeth:

1. The legislation of using the fresh miswak, and that its use is an act of worship and a means of nearness to Allaah.

2. Exaggeration (going to the extreme end of the mouth and back of the throat) in the use of Siwaak since this is a means of completion or perfection of cleanliness.

3. Sometimes using the Siwaak on the tongue [not only on the teeth].

4. The legitimacy of using the siwaak on the tongue just as it is used on the teeth and the gums.

5. The permissibility of using the Siwaak in presence of people.

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 61

Tayseer al-Allaam Sharh Umdatul-Ahkaam by Shaykh Abdullah ibn Abdur – Rahmaan Aal Bassaam. Page 45

[i] Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 1, Book 4, Hadeeth Number 244, p. 184

[ii] Saheeh Muslim, Volume 1, Book 2, Hadeeth Number 592, p. 381