ABLUTION SECTION · 27 – USING ANOTHER'S MISWAK (Toothstick)
50 – Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) related:
– The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) was using a miswak. There were two men present, one older than the other. Revelation came concerning the virtue of the miswak, and it was said, "Observe the elder," meaning give the miswak to the older one. [67]
*Explanation:*
Al-Bukhari transmitted this in a suspended narration, and Muslim also related it on the same meaning from Ibn Umar. The word “yestannu” in the hadith text means “he used,” i.e., he was using a miswak, cleaning his teeth with it. This honorable hadith indicates that it is proper etiquette to allow those older than oneself to begin [actions] such as eating, drinking, greeting, and using fragrance. It is also proper etiquette for the younger ones to wash before eating and for the elders to wash after, because acting in this manner is more appropriate regarding not keeping the elderly waiting.
51 – Mikdam bin Shurayh (may Allah be pleased with him) said that his father, Shurayh (may Allah be pleased with him), related:
I asked Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) what the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) would do first when he entered the home. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) replied:
“He would use a miswak.” [68]
*Explanation:*
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) would, upon entering his home, first offer greetings. Without being occupied with other matters, he would first use a miswak, and then begin speaking with his family members after the miswak. Fatigue, hunger, the heat of the weather, dryness in the mouth, and dirt and odor on the teeth can occur. Thus, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) would enter among his family members after cleaning his teeth. This hadith is found in commentaries such as *Badr al-Din al-Shafi’i*, *Manhal al-Abwad*, and *‘Awn al-Mabud* and in some printings of the Sunan, as the last hadith of chapter 30.