Using A Toothbrush As A Substitute For The Miswaak

Question

Is the modern toothbrush a substitute for the miswaak?

Answer

The toothbrush cannot replace a Miswaak. With regards to cleaning the mouth, there are two Sunnats, one is to use the specific stick (Miswaak), and the other Sunnat is to clean the mouth. If a person doesn’t have a Miswaak then if a person uses a toothbrush or his finger with the intention of a replacement, then in this case, he will get the reward of cleaning the mouth but will not get the reward of using the Miswaak.

Checked and Approved By:

Mufti Muhammed Saeed Motara Saheb D.B.

References

ولا يقوم الاصبع مقام الخشبة فان لمم توجد الخشبة فحينئذ يقوم الاصبع من يمينه مقام الخشبة كذا في المحيط و الظهيرية
(الفتاوى الهندية ج١ ص ٦) 

وتقوم الاصبع او الخرقة الخشبة مقامه عند فقده او عدم اسنانه في تحصيل الثواب لا عند وجوده
( البحر الرائق ج١ ص ٢١) 

فتح القدير ج ١ ص ٢٥ 

حلبى كبير ص ٣٣ 

حاشية الطحطاوى على الدر ج١ص ٧٠ 

رد الحتار ج ١ ص ١١٥ 

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