Explanation of the author's statement: "It is a recommended practice at all times."

The Shaykh : He said "recommended". This is the predicate of the subject "recommended." "Recommended" is a passive participle derived from the verb *sanna* (to establish or prescribe), which is *yusnuna*, so it is *musnunn*. It is like *shadda* (to tie), *yashdudu*, so it is *mashdud* (tied), or *radda* (to return), *yurridu*, so it is *murradd* (returned). So "recommended" means that it has been prescribed. But who prescribed it? It is well known that what is prescribed is only that which comes from the Shari'ah, meaning it was prescribed by Allah and His Messenger. As for his saying "recommended," the scholars define "recommended" as any act of worship that is commanded without being obligatory. So, it is any act of worship that is commanded without being obligatory. Therefore, it is an act of worship. Do you understand? The one who uses the miswak is not merely cleaning his teeth, but he is drawing near to Allah, the Exalted, with his miswak. And when we say "without being obligatory," if it were obligatory, it would be a *wajib* (obligatory). The fact that using the miswak is a recommended practice is indicated by the authentic hadith, which is the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): . His saying But does it indicate that it is not a recommended practice? No, it does not indicate that it is not a recommended practice that is commanded. If it were not for the burden, it would have been obligatory due to its importance. And the author's saying "at all times" means at night and by day, in the night and in the day. What is the evidence? The saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in the hadith of A'ishah: , "a purifier for the mouth and a source of pleasure for the Lord."