Abu Huraira reported God's messenger as saying, “Were it not that I might distress my people, I would order them to delay the evening prayer and use the tooth stick at every time of prayer.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)
Purification: Commentary on Mishkat al-Masabih 376
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. This noble hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, transmitted by the esteemed companion Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him), contains two profound injunctions that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) refrained from making obligatory solely out of merciful consideration for his ummah.
The First Matter: Delaying the 'Isha' Prayer
The phrase "delay the evening prayer" refers to the 'Isha' prayer. The scholars of jurisprudence have explained that its preferred time extends until the first third of the night. The Prophet's hesitation to command this delay stems from his profound compassion, fearing it would impose hardship (mashaqqah) upon the people, particularly the weak, the elderly, and those with pressing responsibilities.
This illustrates a fundamental principle in Islamic law: the removal of difficulty (raf' al-haraj). While the delay is a confirmed Sunnah yielding greater reward, the Shari'ah accommodates human circumstances by permitting its performance earlier to prevent undue burden, thereby making the religion one of ease.
The Second Matter: The Siwak (Tooth Stick) at Every Prayer
The command to "use the tooth stick at every time of prayer" highlights the immense spiritual and physical importance of the siwak. The classical scholars, including Imam Ahmad and al-Shafi'i, have emphasized that it is a strongly recommended practice (sunnah mu'akkadah), especially when preparing for prayer.
Its virtues are manifold: it purifies the mouth, pleases the Lord, brightens the teeth, sharpens the memory, and is a means by which the reward of prayer is multiplied. The Prophet's restraint from making it obligatory, despite its great benefits, again reflects his merciful nature and the divine wisdom of not overburdening the believers.
Spiritual and Legal Conclusions
This hadith from Mishkat al-Masabih teaches us the balance between striving for spiritual excellence and recognizing the realities of human capacity. It confirms the status of the Prophet (pbuh) as a merciful warner. The believer is thus encouraged to voluntarily adopt these practices to attain the pleasure of Allah and the full reward, while understanding the flexibility and mercy inherent in the Islamic code of law.