Using a toothbrush instead of Miswaak
Assalamu Alaikum
Will the Sunnah of Miswaak be performed by using a brush instead of a Miswaak?
Answer
Wa’alaykum as Salam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu,
Just as the Sunnah status of cleaning the teeth is proven from the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), so too is the Sunnah method, and the Sunnah means of Miswaak. Shaykh Mufti Taqi Uthmani (may Allah preserve him) explains that these are two separate issues; the Sunnah of cleaning the teeth, and the Sunnah method and means to clean the teeth.
The Prophet (sallaahu alayhi wasallam) has praised the tree of Arak (also known as Salvadora persica, Galenia asiatica, Peelu, Pīlu, Salvadora indica, mustard tree, or mustard bush), and also stated the virtue of the olive tree miswak.
Imam Tabrani (may Allah have mercy on him) has quoted in his al-Mujam al-Kabeer, (22 / 368) that Abu Khairah (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
In another narration the olive stick has been mentioned:
“How excellent is the miswaak of the olive tree.” (Al-Mujam al-Awsat, 1 / 210)
Allamah Ibn Aabideen Shami writes:
“The most virtuous is the Arak then the olive tree.”
From the aforementioned we learn that the actual Sunnah is to perform miswaak with the twig of a tree. If a toothbrush is used despite the availability of a Miswaak, the reward of a Sunnah will be missed. At the most, a person will get the reward for cleansing the teeth.