What is the ruling on using the miswak? And with which hand does the Muslim use it?
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The questioner : The questioner:The questioner : He says: What is the ruling on using the miswak? And with which hand does the Muslim use it?
The Shaykh : As for the miswak, it is a recommended practice (sunnah) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) encouraged in many hadiths, as is well known, to the extent that he said:Sunan Abi Dawud 47Sahih (Al-Albani) Thus, there is great virtue in it. As for which hand one uses, the right or the left? We have no explicit text that resolves the well-known disagreement among the jurists. Consequently, we are unable to specify, in our turn, without a text that settles the dispute; whether he uses it with the right hand or the left hand. This is because each of the two opinions has its basis. Some say with the right hand, and some say with the left hand. Each opinion has its perspective. The one who says with the right hand takes the principle of preferring the right in everything. The one who says with the left hand considers it a matter of cleaning; he classifies it with things like istibra' (cleaning oneself after relieving oneself) and... And as He (Glorified and Exalted is He) said: [Al-Baqarah 2:148] So, if one is convinced in his mind that this is a matter of preferring the right, let him use the right hand. And if he is convinced in his mind that it is a matter of cleaning, let him use the left hand. And Allah knows best.
The questioner : Is it, our Shaykh, a matter of cleaning? ...
The Shaykh : ... Cleaning the mouth, is it ugly or good?
The questioner : ... If he uses it for cleaning.
The Shaykh : ... As for the miswak, there is no explicit text.
The questioner : For, general cleaning ...
The Shaykh : General, but, for example, is not istibra' (cleaning oneself after relieving oneself) cleaning?
The questioner : Cleaning.
The Shaykh : Okay, so with which hand? The right or the left? The left. So the issue requires a careful look; does this fall under that category? Or is it classified under the general principle? There is no explicit text that resolves the dispute. Therefore, the issue is left to each person according to what his soul is at peace with and what brings him comfort.
The Shaykh : As for the miswak, it is a recommended practice (sunnah) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) encouraged in many hadiths, as is well known, to the extent that he said:
Were it not hard on my ummah, I would order them to use the tooth-stick at the time of every prayer
لولا أن أشقَّ على أمتي لأمرتهم بالسواك عند كل صلاة وعند كل وضوءFor each [religious following] is a direction toward which it faces. So race to [all that is] good.
ولكل وجهة هو موليها فاستبقوا الخيراتThe questioner : Is it, our Shaykh, a matter of cleaning? ...
The Shaykh : ... Cleaning the mouth, is it ugly or good?
The questioner : ... If he uses it for cleaning.
The Shaykh : ... As for the miswak, there is no explicit text.
The questioner : For, general cleaning ...
The Shaykh : General, but, for example, is not istibra' (cleaning oneself after relieving oneself) cleaning?
The questioner : Cleaning.
The Shaykh : Okay, so with which hand? The right or the left? The left. So the issue requires a careful look; does this fall under that category? Or is it classified under the general principle? There is no explicit text that resolves the dispute. Therefore, the issue is left to each person according to what his soul is at peace with and what brings him comfort.
Source
www.al-albany.com
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