(215) Chapter: The Excellence of using Miswak (Tooth-Stick)

'Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "There are ten demands of pure nature: trimming the moustache, letting the beard grow, using Miswak (tooth-stick), snuffing up water into the nose (in ablution), paring the nails, washing the bases of the finger joints; plucking the underarm hair, removing of the pubic hair and removing impurities with water from the affected part after a call of nature."

The subnarrator said: I forgot the tenth but it might possibly be the rinsing of the mouth (in ablution).

[Muslim].

Commentary: This Hadith tells us about ten qualities which are natural to human beings. Some `Ulama' are of the opinion that the tenth quality among them is circumcision. Anyway, the importance of these ten qualities and the stress on them are evident. The first thing among them is the trimming of moustache. This is Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH) and is meant to cut the projected hair on the upper lip.

2. In the opinion of `Ulama', keeping the beard is compulsory but its extent is not determined. On the basis of Ibn `Umar's practice, some `Ulama' hold that the size of handful is essential and beyond that cutting is permissible, or according to a weak narration some consider its trimming towards length and breadth quite fair. But this opinion is not correct. In the words of Al-Bukhari and Muslim, the Prophet (PBUH) used five words for it which are (a'fu, aufu, arkhu, arju, waq'iru) and all of them have similar meanings that the beard should be left alone on natural growth. But, for a few exceptional cases, the common injunction in this behalf is that one should keep full beard. One should neither trim it in length and breadth nor make it handful in size. One can, however, bring it to a normal size in case of its wild growth if one fears that it will cause derision and laughter.

3,4. The Miswak and the rinsing of mouth, and putting water into the nostrils are necessary for Wudu'. "Istinshaq'' means to draw water with full force in the nostrils as one does for smelling perfume. Except during Saum, Istinshaq is stressed in Wudu'.

5. Paring of the nails is also necessary for cleanliness. If this is not done, filthy matter will go to the mouth through the nails. The fashion of keeping long nails, similar to beasts and animals, now in vogue in women as well as men is not only against nature but is also a sign of beastliness and ferocity.

6. The washing of the joints of fingers is also necessary for cleanliness.

7,8. The removal of the underarm hair and below the naval is an integral part of cleanliness and inordinate delay in it is disliked. According to a Hadith, delay in it beyond forty days is disgusting.

9. Cleaning with water after evacuation is a must for purification because one cannot perform Salat without it. It is permissible to use clod or toilet tissue, etc., but such things used for this purpose should be odd in number, i.e., 3,5,7. But it is better to follow this with water, as water is a natural cleanser.

10. Circumcision is also an old tradition or practice. According to the general opinion of `Ulama', it is obligatory. Some of them are of the view that it is desirable on the seventh day. It is, however, permissible afterwards.