Shuraih b. Hani’ said that he asked ‘A'isha what God’s messenger did first when he entered his house, and she replied that he used the tooth-stick. Muslim transmitted it.
Purification: Mishkat al-Masabih 377
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may peace and blessings be upon His final Prophet Muhammad.
Textual Analysis
This noble hadith, transmitted by Imam Muslim in his Sahih, relates that the Companion Shuraih ibn Hani' inquired of the Mother of the Believers, 'A'isha (may Allah be pleased with her), regarding the first action the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) would perform upon entering his household. She responded that he would use the siwak (tooth-stick).
The term "siwak" refers to the act of cleaning the teeth with a twig from the arak tree or similar, which serves to purify the mouth and please the Lord. This practice is among the natural inclinations (fitrah) that Islam encourages.
Legal and Spiritual Dimensions
The scholars have derived from this hadith the emphasized recommendation (sunna mu'akkada) of using the siwak, particularly at times of entering one's home, before prayer, upon waking, and when the mouth's condition changes. Imam Ibn Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) enumerated over seventy benefits of siwak in his works, noting its spiritual and physical merits.
The Prophet's prioritization of siwak upon entering his home demonstrates the importance of maintaining ritual purity and pleasant hygiene in domestic life. It reflects the comprehensive nature of Islamic teachings, where even seemingly minor acts of cleanliness carry spiritual weight and divine reward.
Practical Implementation
The wise Muslim should adopt this noble practice, following the example of the Best of Creation (peace be upon him). Keeping a siwak accessible at home and using it regularly brings one closer to the prophetic way while maintaining oral hygiene. May Allah grant us the ability to follow the Sunnah in its entirety.