Miiswak is purifying for the mouth

Miiswak is purifying for the mouth

The miswaak is the Arabic word for the twigs of the Salvadora Persica also known as Arak tree or Peelu tree, and is commonly referred to as miswak in the west.

The siwaak is a natural toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss. It comes from the Arak which is a small tree that grows up to 3 meters high. Its leaves are small, thick and oval in shape and its smell resembles that of mustard. It grows in hot climates such as Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Egypt and the other Equatorial countries. Its twigs are usually cut to a hand span in length and of medium thickness. When siwaak twigs are not available, twigs from the olive tree or palm leaf stalks are used.


Evidence from the Sunnah
There are many ahadeeth mentioning the importance and virtues of using the siwaak such as the hadeeth of Ibn Abbass that the Prophet (upon him be salah and salam) said : “I was ordered with the siwaak until I thought that something would be revealed in the Qur’aan in regards to it” [Musnad Ahmad no.2125, Ahmad Shaakir graded the isnaad Saheeh]; however the medical benefits are derived from the hadeeth where Aa’ishah reported that the Prophet (upon him be salah and salam) said “the siwaak is purifying for the mouth and pleasing to the Rabb” [Sunan An-Nasaa’ee no.5, Shaykh Al-Albaani graded it saheeh]

Medical uses
In 1988 a comprehensive survey carried out on several thousand Saudi school children reported that the low incidence of periodontal disease recorded, was linked to the practice of using miswaak for oral hygiene. Among the factors being that miswaak contains tannin which helps to strengthen the gums.

The Wrigley Company carried out a study which was published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. In the study mints laced with miswak extract were found to be 20 times more effective in killing bacteria in comparison to ordinary mints. After half an hour the mints laced with miswaak extract killed 60% of the bacteria and the ordinary mints killed only 3.6%. This benefit of the miswaak has been confirmed in the journal Oral medicine and Dentistry where Dr. James Turner, of the Faculty of Medicine in the American University of Tennessee said: “The miswaak of the araak tree contains substances which purify and kill microbes, the most important of which are sulphur and sitosterol B (or β-sitosterol), as well as sodium.”

Many studies have been carried out on the miswaak attesting to the truth that the Messenger of Allah (upon him be salah and salam) spoke when he said that the miswaak is purifying for the mouth. The Mouth disease department of Cairo University, the King Saud University, the US National Library of Medical Service and others have documented their findings. However for the sake of brevity we will only mention some of the established benefits of the miswaak:
• Due to its known antibacterial qualities miswaak is very good for killing bacteria build up in the mouth
• It’s soft fibres are gentle on the teeth and gums unlike the bristles on brushes and yet they remove the food and stains from the teeth very well.
• The fact that its bristles are parallel to the handle instead of perpendicular, enables better cleaning between the teeth.
• Stops bleeding and purifies the gums.
• Fights gum disease
• Creates a pleasant smell in the mouth
• Removes bad breath and odour from the mouth.
• And fights plaque effectively

Application
The scholars of Islam advise that the miswaak should be used starting from the right side of the mouth in a side to side motion instead of up and down as the latter may harm the gums. It should be used frequently due to the generality of the hadeeth mentioned above.

Some of the recommended times are as follows;
• Before every salah - based on the narration of Aa’ishah who reported that the prophet (upon him be salah and salam) said: “Were it not for the fact that I did not want to make things too hard for my ummah, I would have commanded them to use the miswaak at every time of prayer.” [Bukhaari, 2/299 and Muslim, 1/151].
• When entering the house – as reported from Aa’ishah; “When he (upon him be salah and salam) entered his house, the first thing he would do was to use the miswaak.” [Muslim, 1/220].
• When getting up from sleep - as reported by Hudhayfah ibn al-Yamaan that when the Prophet (upon him be salah and salam) got up during the night, he would clean his mouth thoroughly with the miswaak. [Bukhaari, 1/98 and Muslim, 1/220]
• When the taste or smell of the mouth changes – since the miswaak is purifying for the mouth then it should be utilised as and when needed.

Hakim mufti Abdulqayyum
12/01/2011

Treating Headaches and Migraines

Treating Headaches and Migraines.

Headaches are generally caused by heat and fever in the head, because an accumulation of hot vapours are seeking a way out of the body. As the heat rises into the head, it causes an increase in amount of fluid in the cranium and a swelling of the membrane inside the skull. The pain can either be felt all over the head or more commonly, on one side of the head.

In comparison, Migraines are usually caused by an obstruction of a blood vessel or vessels in the brain. The vessels can be blocked by tiny air bubbles or foreign bodies carried in the bloodstream which find their way into the brain. Many people find that applying gentle pressure to the head during a migraine helps ease the pain.

The beloved Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe w sallam) sometimes suffered from migraine headaches that kept him at home for a day or two. Ibn Abbaas said that God’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihe w sallam) once gave a sermon while wearing a headband tied around his head (sallallahu alaihe w sallam).

The treatment for headaches and migraines depends upon their particular type and cause. Sometimes they can be treated with the induction of vomiting, by cupping, with compression head bandage or sometimes just with rest, quietness and calm.

In his collection of prophetic sayings, Imam ibn Maja cited a tradition in which the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe w sallam) had applied hina (mahendi) to his scalp to relieve his headache, and said, “God willing, it will help.”

Hina (mahendi) is not just used to help heal pains in the head, but it is also generally useful for other pains in the muscles and joints around the body.
Headaches can also be treated with Meccan Senna leaves (sana e makki). Green leaves like hina, Normally uses for constipation

Hakim Mufti Abdulqayyum
12/01/2011

The Blessings of the Black Seed (Kalwanji)

The Blessings of the Black Seed (Kalwanji)

The Black Cumin Seed (Nigella Sativa) is one of the most universally powerful medicines known to man. It is a small triangular seed from a flowering herb of the buttercup family, and also known as the Blessed Seed, Black Caraway or Kalwanji. It has been known and cultivated for over two thousand years, including by the ancient Egyptians and Romans.

Abu Huraira (may God be pleased with him) narrated that God’s Messenger (pbuh) said, “Use this black seed regularly because it contains a cure for every disease except death.”

The oil extracted from the seeds is particularly good for healing cold, wet illnesses, benefits bronchitis and coughs, acts as a digestive tonic, eases belching, stimulates excretion of body wastes, expels intestinal worms, stimulates menstruation in women and increases the flow of breast milk for nursing mothers. Adding a few drops of the oil to coffee helps calm the nervous system, dispels fatigue and mild depression and eases a dry cough.

The Black Seed is also particularly beneficial for women suffering from abnormal absence of menstruation and other menstrual difficulties. An ointment made of black seed oil can also stimulate the growth of the beard and slow down the greying of hair. Boiling Black Seeds in vinegar and then rinsing one’s mouth with this liquid can help relieve toothache and heal gum problems.

Placing powdered black seeds in a fine muslin cloth and inhaling them regularly helps reduce the effects of common colds. The Blessed Companions of God’s Messenger (pbuh) used to place 21 seeds in a linen cloth which they soaked overnight in water, and in the morning, they used to place drops of this solution in each nostril to help relieve nasal congestion and head-colds.


Hakim Mufti Abdulqayyum
11/01/2011