The Excellence of the Siwak and the Qualities of the Natural Form (Fitrah)

586. Abu Hurayra, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “If it was not for the fact that I might have been overburdening my community—or the people—I would have ordered them to use the siwak for every Prayer.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Jumu’ah, 8; Sawm, 27; Sahih Muslim, Taharah, 42).

588. Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The siwak is purification for the mouth and pleasing to the Lord.” (Sunan an-Nasa’i, Taharah, 4).

589. Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, said, “The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, ‘Ten things make up man’s natural form: trimming the moustache, letting the beard grow, using the siwak, snuffing water up the nose, cutting the nails, washing the knuckles, removing hair from the armpits, shaving the pubic hair and using water in the lavatory.’” The narrator said, “I forgot the tenth. It could be rinsing the mouth.” (Sahih Muslim, Taharah, 56).

Nawawi, Imam. Riyad As-Salihin; The Gardens of the Righteous: A collection of authentic hadiths. Tughra Books Press, Inc. 2014