"If it wasn't for the difficulty upon my nation, verily I would have ordered them with the miswâk at the time of every wudoo".

Indeed, it has been reported that it (the miswâk) is a sunnah of the prophets, consequently the first to use the miswâk was Ibraaheem (alaihi salaam) and the Messenger (sallalAllahu alaihi was sallam) has explained that it is a purifier for the mouth, meaning a cleaner for it from that which is disliked, and that it is a pleaser to The Lord, meaning it pleases The Lord The Most High.

From
The Jurisprudential Digest
Of
Shaikh Salih Fawzan
Translated by
Abu Yahya 'Eesa Starling

The legality of the miswâk is the use of a stick or what resembles it for the teeth and gums to remove what is caught between them from tartar (yellowness) and odor. Indeed, it has been reported that it (the miswâk) is a sunnah of the prophets, consequently the first to use the miswâk was Ibraaheem (alaihi salaam) and the Messenger (sallalAllahu alaihi was sallam) has explained that it is a purifier for the mouth, meaning a cleaner for it from that which is disliked, and that it is a pleaser to The Lord, meaning it pleases The Lord The Most High.

It has been reported in his explanation and incitement to it in more than 100 ahâdeeth which establishes it as a confirmed Sunnah that, The Legislator (Allâh) incites to and encourages. It has great benefits, from the greatest and most collective, is what has been pointed out in the hadeeth:

"Verily it is a purifier for the mouth and pleasing to The Lord."

Cleaning (brushing) the teeth with the miswâk is done with a soft stick from araak (miswâk tree), the olive tree, corymb, or other than that which does not crumble nor cut the mouth. Using the miswâk is a Sunnah at all times, even throughout the day of the one whom is fasting upon that which is correct. It is also confirmed for specific times; at the time of wudoo according to the statement of the Messenger (sallalAllahu alaihi was sallam),

"If it wasn't for the difficulty upon my nation, verily I would have ordered them with the miswâk at the time of every wudoo".

Thusly, this hadeeth establishes the certainty of the miswak at the time if wudoo being mustahab (a sunnah), which takes place during the cleaning of the mouth (putting water in the mouth with the right hand 1 to 3 times) for this is more substantial (effective) in purifying and cleaning the mouth. The miswâk is also confirmed before the prayer,obligatory or supererogatory, for we are ordered to be in a condition of perfection and cleanliness at the time of approaching (or getting close to) Allâh, displaying the high rank of worship. The use of the miswâk is also confirmed when waking from a night's sleep or a day's sleep. Indeed he (sallalAllahu alaihi was sallam) would scrub (rub) his mouth with the miswâk because sleep changes one's breath, which is caused by the rising of fumes from the stomach, and the miswâk in this condition cleans the mouth from its traces. The miswâk is also confirmed when one's breath changes from eating or other than that. It is also confirmed to use it before reading the Qurân to clean the mouth and freshen it for the recitation of Allâh's speech, Mighty and Majestic is He.

The characteristics of (using) the miswâk are; passing it over the gums and teeth, beginning from the right side and moving to the left, and holding the miswâk with the left hand.