The Siwaak: Enhancing Worship and Spiritual Hygiene (Lesson 1)

The Siwaak

Before reciting the Qur’aan it is recommended that Muslims use a siwaak.

• Muslims use the siwaak to clean the mouth.

It is also called a miswaak. It keeps the mouth fresh and Muslims are encouraged to use it before reading the Qur’aan. The siwaak is often taken from the Araak tree. The companion of the Prophet ﷺ , Ibn Mas’ood said, “I used to gather sticks from the Araak tree for the Messenger of Allah ﷻ .” (Ahmad)

• The Messenger of Allah ﷻ said, “The siwaak is a way to clean the mouth and please the Lord.” (Al-Bukhaari)

When Muslims read the Qur’aan and use the siwaak, they please Allah ﷻ .

• The Prophet ﷺ said that using the siwaak is one of the practices of the fitrah (natural way). (Muslim)

• Using the siwaak is a form of worship which is easy to perform.

The Prophet ﷺ used the siwaak:

1- Before each prayer.

2- Before reading the Qur’aan.

3- Before sleeping.

4- When waking up.

5- During fasting.

Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said,

“If it were not that I would burden my ummah, I would have commanded them to use the siwaak before every prayer.” (Al-Bukhaari and Muslim)

“Discussion:”

1. What is a siwaak?
2. What is the Araak Tree?
3. What did the Messenger of Allah say about using the siwaak and pleasing Allah?