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 Is It Permissible for a Fasting Person to Use Miswak or Toothpaste?

Can we clean teeth with miswak or toothbrush while fasting? When should we use the miswak within day if it doesn’t invalidate the fast?

Answer:

It is permissible to use miswak while fasting

Amir Bin Rabiyah (ra) narrates:

“I saw Prophet (pbuh) using miswak while he was fasting many times that I can’t count.” (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi)

“The fasting person uses miswak at the beginning and the end of the day.” (Bukhari)

According to Imam Abu Yusuf, it is makruh (disliked) for a fasting person to use a wet miswak (dampened with water); however, according to other religious scholars it is not makruh to use wet or dry miswak in the morning and after the sunset.

 (Great Islamic Jurisprudence Book, Omer Nasuhi Bilmen)

 

The general view of the present time on brushing is;

If teeth are brushed without toothpaste, the fast is not invalidated (broken).

If teeth are brushed with toothpaste, the fast is not invalidated either. However it is makruh to do so since it is highly possible to damage the fast.

While brushing the teeth, it is highly possible for paste and water to go down the throat. Fast is invalidated if paste, water or blood is swallowed.

Consequently, it is obvious that, for a person who wants to clean his teeth while fasting, the most appropriate and safest way is the use of miswak.

 

“Miswak is until the asr prayer for you, when you pray (asr) leave the miswak.” (Kutub al-Sittah)

Our Beloved Prophet (pbuh) stated that:

“Miswak is until the asr prayer for you, when you pray (asr) leave the miswak. (Kutub al-Sittah)

Hattabi states that, according to some scholars, it is makruh to use miswak towards the end of the day. Their deciding factor for this provision is the following hadith:

“The smell of the mouth of a fasting person is better than the smell of musk in Allah's Sight.” (Bukhari, Muslim)

Since the smell of the mouth of a fasting person is precious in Allah’s sight, the aforementioned scholars thought that it would be better not to remove it with the use of miswak and let it go on till the fast breaking time.

All these narrations lead to the conclusion that it is permissible to use miswak while fasting provided that its water is not swallowed. Furthermore, the best time to use it is the morning and before the asr time. Kaynak: http://askaquestionto.us - Is It Permissible for a Fasting Person to Use Miswak or Toothpaste?