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Ramadan Q&A with Shaykh Yaser Birjas | Brushing your Teeth

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Transcribed by Sameera, brought to you by Valley Ranch Masjid’s YouTube Channel.

[Note: The transcript is slightly modified for improving the readability]

Transcript:

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[Valley Ranch Masjid]:  As we promised our brothers and sisters online on Facebook, you will be answering a series of questions.  This month we are going to be focusing on questions for Ramadan.  The question we are going to be addressing today is about miswak, tongue scrapers, mouthwash – is it permissible?  If so, what is the general ruling?  Please tell us more.

[Shaykh Yaser Birjas]:  Jazak’Allah khayr. Barak Allah feek.  Imam al-Bukhari reported a hadith by ‘Amir b. Rabi‘ah: “I have seen the Prophet ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) so many times that I can’t count when he was using a miswak while fasting.”  He mentioned that even while Rasulullah ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) was engaged in fasting, he would still use his miswak.  Using the miswak is one of the great sunan of the Prophet ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him), and he emphasized it so much.  He ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said, “I don’t want to create hardship for my ummah.  If I had wanted to create hardship for my ummah, I would have ordered them to use the miswak for every salah and every wudu’.”  He ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) did not want to create hardship, so he did not make it mandatory at that time.  The Prophet ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) used it very often.

Having a sahabi like ‘Amir b. Rabi‘ah reporting this hadith that he saw the Prophet ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) do this while fasting means that it is permissible to do that.

The miswak was a famous stick used by the Arabs back then and it was their way of brushing.  Today, what about all of these modern ways of cleaning our teeth and mouth?  For example:  is using a toothbrush with toothpaste permissible?  The ulema (rahimahullah ta’ala), and many of them are still alive, say that it is permissible to use the toothbrush with toothpaste; however, they deem it to be makrooh, but it is still considered to be permissible.  They give a lot of conditions on this, meaning they want the people to be careful as they use toothpaste so that they don’t swallow it.  Yes, it may have a strong aroma and strong taste, but even the natural miswak had a natural taste, so it is permissible to use it insha’Allah.

There are many people who have some issues dealing with people in close proximity such as doctors, dentists, and students in a group activity, so they may feel uncomfortable speaking to people when they sense the smell coming from the stomach.  This is why it is permissible to do it.

What about using mouthwash? Similarly, the Prophet ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) recommended that we rinse our mouths and blow our noses for wudu’.  He ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said, “When you make wudu’, exaggerate or do it thoroughly unless you are fasting.”  Similarly, while in the month of Ramadan or while fasting, it is considered makrooh to use mouthwash.  You are allowed to use it, but if you can avoid it and there is no need for you to use it, then it is better for you to avoid it.  If you have one of these circumstances, then you can use it, but be careful and don’t use too much.  Use it moderately, insha’Allah.

Cleaning the mouth and keeping good hygiene is part of our Sunnah even during the month of Ramadan.  When you use it, use it carefully.  I hope this answered your question, insha’Allah ta’ala.

[Valley Ranch Masjid]:  Jazak Allah khayr, Shaykh Yaser.  It is always a pleasure to hear from you!  We will be doing more of these question and answer sessions.  If people have more questions pertaining to Ramadan, they can go to our Facebook:  Valley Ranch Masjid and go to the Event called Q&A with Shaykh Yaser Birjas.  Go there and post your question, and insha’Allah you will be seeing an answer to it soon.

 

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Keep supporting MuslimMatters for the sake of Allah

Alhamdulillah, we're at over 850 supporters. Help us get to 900 supporters this month. All it takes is a small gift from a reader like you to keep us going, for just $2 / month.

The Prophet (SAW) has taught us the best of deeds are those that done consistently, even if they are small. Click here to support MuslimMatters with a monthly donation of $2 per month. Set it and collect blessings from Allah (swt) for the khayr you're supporting without thinking about it.

Sh. Yaser Birjas is originally from Palestine. He received his Bachelors degree from Islamic University of Madinah in 1996 in Fiqh & Usool, graduating as the class valedictorian. After graduating, he went on to work as a youth counselor and relief program aide in war-torn Bosnia. Thereafter, he immigrated to the U.S. and currently resides in Dallas, Texas. He is also an instructor at AlMaghrib Institute, where he teaches popular seminars such as Fiqh of Love, The Code Evolved, and Heavenly Hues. He is currently serving as an Imam at Valley Ranch Islamic Center, Irving, Texas. Sh. Yaser continues to enhance his knowledge in various arenas and most recently obtained a Masters of Adult Education and Training from the University of Phoenix, Class of 2013. In addition to his responsibilities as an Imam, Sh. Yaser is a father of four children, he’s an instructor at AlMaghrib Institute, and a national speaker appearing at many conventions and conferences around the country. He is very popular for his classes and workshops covering a wide range of topics related to the youth, marriage, parenting and family life among other social matters related to the Muslim community. His counseling services, in office and online, include providing pre-marital training, marriage coaching and conflict resolution for Muslims living in the West.

2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. Tarannum Ansari

    June 19, 2012 at 7:44 PM

    ASA,
    Thank you for sharing.
    I think you have a lecture on music. Can you please send me the link for it.
    JAK

  2. unknown

    June 25, 2016 at 10:48 PM

    How about listening music in restroom or while bathing?

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