The
Age-Old Practice of Oral Hygiene: Beyond the ‘Muslim’ Miswak
⏰ Reading Time: 3–4 minutes
“We
sent this revelation to you: Follow the way of Abraham who was fully devoted
and was not among the polytheists.”
— Qur’an 16:123
The use of
the miswak as a tool for oral hygiene did not originate with Islam, nor was it
introduced for the first time during the era of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be
upon him). It isn't easy to imagine that entire civilizations before his time
ignored dental hygiene, only for this practice to be invented in the 7th
century.
Rather, Prophet
Muhammad (peace be upon him) revived the age-old traditions of Prophet Abraham—practices
that, in Islamic terminology, are known as the Sunnah of Ibrahim. Oral
hygiene, therefore, is not a uniquely Islamic innovation but a deeply rooted
human tradition passed down through prophetic guidance.
Islam
places immense emphasis on purification, both physical and spiritual. The
Qur’an states in Surah Ash-Shams:
“And
[by] the soul and He who proportioned it. And inspired it [with discernment of]
its wickedness and its righteousness—He has succeeded who purifies it, and he
has failed who corrupts it.”
— Qur’an 91:7–10
This
purification of the soul unfolds across three core dimensions that encompass
the entirety of our human experience.:
- Moral conduct (Akhlaqiyaat) – Ethical dealings,
integrity, and upright character.
- Physical cleanliness – Maintaining hygiene as a
core part of our faith.
- Purity of consumption – Ensuring our food and drink
are wholesome (tayyib) and lawful (halal).
It is
vital to understand that the miswak is a means to an end, not the end itself.
Its purpose lies in promoting cleanliness, not in the stick itself. The goal is
cleanliness, whether it is achieved through a twig or a modern toothbrush. Just
as horses, mules, and donkeys once served as transportation, today we use cars
and airplanes—but the function remains the same.
Likewise,
using a toothbrush instead of a miswak does not contradict Islamic values;
rather, it fulfills the Qur’anic objective of cleanliness and care for the
body. The underlying principle remains constant: preserving purity in obedience
to divine wisdom.
Aamir
Iqbal Yazdani
MPhil Islamic Thought & Civilization, Pakistan
MSc Irrigation Engineering, UK
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