“He is Allah the Creator, the Maker, the Fashioner; His are the most excellent names; whatever is in the heavens and the earth declares His glory; and He is the Mighty, the Wise.” [Sūrah al-Hashr 59:24]

“O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.” [Surah Al-Hujurat 49:13]

O you who believe! Whoever from among you turns back from his religion (Islam), Allah will bring a people whom He will love and they will love Him; humble towards the believers, stern towards the disbelievers, fighting in the Way of Allah, and never afraid of the blame of the blamers. That is the Grace of Allah which He bestows on whom He wills. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures’ needs, All-Knower. [Surah Ma’idah’ Verse 54]

“Son of Adam! You are nothing but a number of days,
whenever each day passes then a part of you has Gone!” {Shaykh Al-Hasan Al-Basree}

“And why should we not put our Trust in Allah while He indeed has guided us our ways” (14:12)

“And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace,” [Surah Al-Furqan 25:63]

When was the last time you used a miswak? Was it a couple of weeks ago? Months, or even a couple of years ago?

Misiwak Masiwak1 5 Steps To Develop The Habit Of MiswakIt’s strange that few Muslims use a miswak these days, especially since it is an established sunnah and moreover there are so many products marketed as being derived from “miswak”. I’ve seen miswak toothpaste, miswak candy, and miswak chewing gum. I’ve seen lots of stores selling miswak. But it is rare that I actually see a Muslim with a miswak in his or her mouth.

This is a shame since Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) was very keen on using them himself and encouraged his companions to do the same.

Were it not for overburdening my Ummah, I would command them to use Siwak (miswak) at every prayer. (Muslim)

Now just in case you don’t know what a miswak is (sometimes called siwak), let me explain.

It is a small stick used to brush the teeth, it most commonly comes from the roots of the Salvadora Persica plant (also known as the mustard tree). It is called Arak in Arabic and Peelu in Urdu.

t makes an excellent toothbrush as its fibers become abrasive and bristly when moistened and chewed, similar to modern day toothbrushes. Recent studies have shown that using miswak promotes good oral hygiene. Using miswak may even bring some digestive benefits.

For Muslims, this only multiplies the benefit of using them. You’ll get the reward for following the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him), and you’ll get the health benefits as well.

But here’s the dilemma: it’s not so easy to make a habit of using miswak.

I’m guilty of this also. I buy a miswak, use it for a week or so, then gradually cease over the next several days. Soon my miswak joins my socks and keys on the list of missing items.

Therefore, I’ve come up with a few methods to help make using miswak a habit. I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of missing out on all the rewards of brushing with miswak. If you’re tired of it also, let’s go through this list and see what we can do insha’Allah.
1. Use it for Thirty Days

You’ve probably heard it before, but I’ll say it again: It’s been said that anything you do for 30 days straight becomes a habit. If that’s the case, this should be your first step in making the use of miswak a habit.

Starting today, commit to brushing your teeth with miswak every morning and evening and/or before certain prayers for 30 days straight. Perhaps you can keep your miswak stick right next to your toothbrush.

After thirty days, it will become a habit, insha’Allah, and will be routine.
2. Take it With You

A miswak is just a stick. It really isn’t anything big or bulky. It’s smaller than the average highlighter in fact. A good way to make it a habit is to just bring it with you everywhere you go.

Stick it in your pocket or your purse. When you eat something outside the home, just whip out your miswak and give it a quick scrub.

Pretty soon, insha’Allah your miswak will become as essential as your car keys or cell phone.

And speaking of cell phones…
3. Digital Reminders

I love digital reminders. In fact, I’ve used them to memorize several du’as. Chances are you’re probably surrounded by gadgets with screens. You probably have a cell phone. Maybe even a tablet. And if you’re reading this article, you most certainly have access to at least one computer. Post digital reminders to use your miswak on all of your gadgets by setting pop-up alerts or setting an image with the reminder as your background!

Now every time you answer your phone, or go on your computer, you’ll see the same reminder: “BRUSH TEETH WITH MISWAK.”
4. Keep More Than One

This is a no-brainer. Like I mentioned in the beginning, I have a habit of losing my miswak or forgetting to bring it with me when I go out.

And an easy way to solve this problem is to have several miswak sticks in every place you’re likely to frequent:

One in your coat or jacket pocket.
One in your car.
One in your office.
One in your bathroom.

Just make sure you don’t keep your miswak where other people are keeping theirs. That might lead to some very awkward situations.
5. Use Flavored Miswak

Miswak has a unique taste, but it’s not bad. However, if you’re not too keen about the taste there are flavored miswak available.

Grab yourself some miswak sticks in mint or strawberry or lemon. Now you really have no excuse not to use one.

It should be noted that you should not use a flavored miswak while fasting though it’s fine to use a regular one.

There are too many benefits to using miswak for you to miss out on this opportunity, both spiritual and worldly. Even if there were no health benefits, the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) used them and that’s good enough for me. If that’s a good enough reason for you also, let’s try to make this wonderful Sunnah a part of our daily lives, insha’Allah.

About the author

Abu Ibrahim Ismail is a Muslim speaker, writer, and da’ee. He has studied Islam in West Africa and the Caribbean. He founded the website IslamicLearningMaterials.com where he teaches and preaches about Islamic principles. He tweets about Islam and Muslims @IslamicLearning.

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“Whoever relieves a believer from a difficulty in this world, Allah will relieve a difficulty from him on the Day of Judgement.” [Muslim]

“The world is 3 days: As for yesterday, it has vanished along with all that was in it. As for tomorrow, you may never see it. As for today, it is yours, so work on it.”
― Hasan Al-Basri (RH)

Narrated By Abu Huraira (RA) : Allah’s(SWT) Apostle(PBUH) said, “By Him in Whose Hands my soul is! Whoever is wounded in Allah’s(SWT) Cause… and Allah(SWT) knows well who gets wounded in His Cause… will come on the Day of Resurrection with his wound having the colour of blood but the scent of musk.”
Sahih Bukhari Hadith No: 2804

Follow what is divinely revealed to you from your Lord; there is none worthy of worship except Him; and turn away from the polytheists. [Ana`am 6:106]

10th RIS Canada Convention from December 23-25, 2011
Metro Toronto Convention Center

WE WILL BE AT BOOTH #816

Narrated Abdullah al-Hawzani: I met Bilal, the Mu’adhdhin of the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) at Aleppo, and said: Bilal, tell me, what was the financial position of the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him)? He said: He had nothing. It was I who managed it on his behalf since the day Allah made him Prophet of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) until he died. When a Muslim man came to him and he found him naked, he ordered me (to clothe him). I would go, borrow (some money), and purchase a cloak for him. I would then clothe him and feed him. A man from the polytheists met me and said: I am well off, Bilal. Do not borrow money from anyone except me. So I did accordingly. One day when I performed ablution and stood up to make call to prayer, the same polytheist came along with a body of merchants. When he saw me, he said: O Abyssinian. I said: I am at your service. He met me with unpleasant looks and said harsh words to me. He asked me: Do you know how many days remain in the completion of this month? I replied: The time is near. He said: Only four days remain in the completion of this month. I shall then take that which is due from you (i.e. loan), and then shall return you to tend the sheep as you did before. I began to think in my mind what people think in their minds (on such occasions). When I offered the night prayer, the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) returned to his family. I sought permission from him and he gave me permission. I said: Apostle of Allah, may my parents be sacrificed for you, the polytheist from whom I used to borrow money said to me such-and-such. Neither you nor I have anything to pay him for me, and he will disgrace me. So give me permission to run away to some of those tribes who have recently embraced Islam until Allah gives His Apostle (peace_be_upon_him) something with which he can pay (the debt) for me. So I came out and reached my house. I placed my sword, waterskin (or sheath), shoes and shield near my head. When dawn broke, I intended to be on my way. All of a sudden I saw a man running towards me and calling: Bilal, return to the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him). So I went till I reached him. I found four mounts kneeling on the ground with loads on them. I sought permission. The Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) said to me: Be glad, Allah has made arrangements for the payment (of your debt). He then asked: Have you not seen the four mounts kneeling on the ground? I replied: Yes. He said: You may have these mounts and what they have on them. There are clothes and food on them, presented to me by the ruler of Fadak. Take them away and pay off your debt. I did so. He then mentioned the rest of the tradition. I then went to the mosque and found that the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) was sitting there. I greeted him. He asked: What benefit did you have from your property? I replied: Allah Most High paid everything which was due from the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him). Nothing remains now. He asked: Did anything remain (from that property)? I said: Yes. He said: Look, if you can give me some comfort from it, for I shall not visit any member of my family until you give me some comfort from it. When the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) offered the night prayer, he called me and said: What is the position of that which you had with you (i.e. property)? I said: I still have it, no one came to me. The Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) passed the night in the mosque. He then narrated the rest of the tradition. Next day when he offered the night prayer, he called me and asked: What is the position of that which you had (i.e. the rest of the property)? I replied: Allah has given you comfort from it, Apostle of Allah. He said: Allah is Most Great, and praised Allah, fearing lest he should die while it was with him. I then followed him until he came to his wives and greeted each one of them and finally he came to his place where he had to pass the night. This is all for which you asked me. [Abu Dawud 013:3049]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2FMTArcRCo&sns=em

Abu Qatada reported that Abu al Malih informed me: I went along with your father to ‘Abdullah b. Amr, and he narrated to us that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) was informed about my fasting and he came to me, and I placed a leather cushion filled with fibre of date-palms for him. He sat down upon the ground and there was that cushion between me and him, and he said to me: Does three days’ fasting in a month not suffice you? I said: Messenger of Allah, (I am capable of observing more fasts). He said: (Would) five (not suffice for you)? I said: Messenger of Allah, (I am capable of observing more fasts) He said: (Would) seven (fasts) not suffice you? I said: Messenger of Allah, (I am capable of observing more fasts). He (the Holy Prophet) then said: (Would) nine (fasts not suffice you)? I said: Messenger of Allah, (I am capable of observing more fasts). He said: (Would) eleven (fasts not suffice you)? I said: Messenger of Allah, (I am capable of observing more fasts than these). Thereupon the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: There is no fasting (better than) the fasting of David which comprises half of the age, fasting a day and not fasting a day. [Muslim 006:2597]