Using a Toothbrush is Sunnah

We have all heard and read that using a miswak is Sunnah, and many people either consider using a toothbrush as bidah, or as an ancillary tool in addition to the tree twig commonly referred to as miswak. 

Now here's the surprise. The toothbrush IS the miswak! Let me explain.

Miswak, by definition, is a tool to clean one's teeth. A meem with a zer (مِ) before a word gives it the meaning of a tool. Hence, a key is called miftah (mi + fatah) i.e. a tool that opens, and a lamp is called misbah (mi + subah) i.e. a tool that brings day or light. 

On a side note, a meem with a zabar (مَ) before a word gives it the meaning of a place. Hence, a masjid (ma + sajdah) is a place where one offers sajdah, and a maktab (ma + kitab) is a place where one reads or studies.

Since a toothbrush cleans one's mouth, it is a miswak (mi + siwak).

It is quite confounding that people include twigs of several trees (pelu, neem, babool etc.) under the definition of miswak, despite the fact that the Prophet ﷺ probably used only date twigs, but are dead against granting the toothbrush the same privilege. The fact remains that a proper toothbrush used properly is way better than the twig of any tree. Its contra angle design gives it a spectacular edge over the straight twig. As for the medicinal virtues (fazail) of the miswak juice that are often quoted, they would also obviously differ from tree to tree, from date to neem to babool, right? Modern toothpastes can offer the best of all those combined and more.

In conclusion, using a tool to clean one's teeth is Sunnah, and not necessarily using a twig.

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used the tools and techniques of his age. He used oil lamps, we use electric bulbs; he rode camels, horses and mules, we use bikes and cars and planes, don't we? So why can't we move on from the twig to it's modern and advanced version, the toothbrush, and accord it the same status and honour of being Sunnah as the humble twig?

- Dr. Parvez Mandviwala
  BDS

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