What Is the Sunna Length of a Toothstick (Miswak)?

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Question: Assalam alaykum

Does the miswak have to be a certain length for it to fulfill Sunnah?

Answer: Wa alaykum assalam,

I hope you’re doing well, insha’Allah.

The sunna itself if fulfilled by brushing one’s teeth—in any way that cleans them (this includes using tooth brushes, for example). (As understood from Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar; Shurunbulali, Maraqi al-Falah.)

There is greater reward in the use of a toothstick (siwak/miswak), as this was both the specific practice of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and there are specific hadiths of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) encouraging its use.

The scholars mention that the optimal size is around the length of one’s handspan or a little less (ibid; Khadimi, al-Bariqa al-Mahmudiyya). The discouragement of excessively short or long toothsticks relates to considerations of effectiveness, harm, and excessiveness.

And Allah is the giver of success and facilitation.

Wassalam,
[Shaykh] Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani is a scholar and researcher of Islamic law and translator of several Arabic works to the English language. After ten years overseas, Shaykh Faraz returned to Canada in the Summer of 2007. In May 2008 he founded SeekersGuidance to deal with the urgent need to spread Islamic knowledge—both online and on the ground—in a reliable, relevant, inspiring, and accessible manner.

Photo: محمد الفلسطيني