Purification (Kitab Al-Taharah) - Sunan Abi Dawud 47

I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: Were it not hard on my ummah, I would order them to use the tooth-stick at the time of every prayer. AbuSalamah said: Zayd ibn Khalid used to attend the prayers in the mosque with his tooth-stick on his ear where a clerk carries a pen, and whenever he got up for prayer he used it.

Commentary on the Hadith

This noble hadith establishes the great emphasis our Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) placed upon oral hygiene and purification. The siwak (tooth-stick) serves both as a means of physical cleanliness and spiritual preparation for prayer.

The Prophet's statement "Were it not hard on my ummah" demonstrates his merciful nature, as he refrained from making obligatory what would cause undue hardship. Yet his words clearly indicate the high recommendation (mustahabb) of using siwak before each prayer.

The companion Zayd ibn Khalid's practice of carrying his siwak on his ear, as a clerk carries a pen, shows the importance early Muslims gave to this sunnah. This practical approach ensured he was always prepared to purify his mouth before standing before Allah in prayer.

Scholars have explained that using siwak removes bad odors, cleans the mouth, pleases Allah, and follows the prophetic example. It is particularly recommended when performing wudu, when the mouth's taste changes, upon waking, and before reciting Quran.

Legal Rulings (Ahkam)

The majority of scholars consider using siwak to be a highly recommended sunnah (sunnah mu'akkadah), not obligatory. It is especially emphasized before prayers and recitation of Quran.

The preferred times for siwak include: before each of the five daily prayers, before reciting Quran, upon waking, when entering one's home, and when the mouth's odor changes.

The proper method involves moistening the siwak, brushing horizontally from right to left and vice versa, and rinsing the mouth afterward. One should begin with the right side of the mouth as is the general principle in Islamic etiquette.