She Takes Care of Her Mouth and Teeth The intelligent Muslim woman takes care of her mouth, for no-one should ever have to smell an unpleasant odour coming from it. She does this by cleaning her teeth with a siwak, toothbrush, toothpaste and mouthwash after every meal. She checks her teeth and visits the dentist at least once a year, even if she does not feel any pain, in order to keep her teeth healthy and strong. She consults otolaryngologists (“ear, nose and throat” doctors) if necessary, so that her breath will remain clean and fresh. This is undoubtedly more befitting for a woman. ‘Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) used to be very diligent in taking care of her teeth: she never neglected to clean them with a siwak, as Bukhari and Muslim reported from a number of the Saahbah. Bukhari reported from ‘Urwah (May Allah be pleased with her) via ‘Aað: “We heard ‘Aishah the Mother of the Believers cleaning her teeth in the room…” [8] Muslim also reports from ‘Urwah (May Allah be pleased with her) via ‘Aað: “We heard her using the siwak…”[9] ‘Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) said: “The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.s.) never woke from sleeping at any time of day or night without cleaning his teeth with a siwak before performing wudu ” [10] The Prophet’s concern for oral hygiene was so great that he said: “If it were not for the fact that I did not want to overburden my ummah, I would have ordered them to use the siwak before every prayer.” [11] ‘Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) was asked what the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) used to do first when he came home. She said, “Use siwak.”[12] It is very strange to see that some Muslim women neglect these matters, which are among the most important elements of a woman’s character, besides being at the very heart of Islam. They are among the most important elements of a woman’s gentle nature, and they reveal her feminine elegance and beauty. They are also at the heart of Islam because the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) urged cleanliness on many occasions, and he detested unpleasant odours and an ugly appearance. He said: “Whoever eats onions, garlic or leeks should not approach our mosque, because whatever offends the sons of Adam may offend the angels.” [13] The Prophet (s.a.w.s.) banned those who had eaten these pungent vegetables from coming anywhere near the mosque, lest the people and the angels be offended by their bad breath, but these smells pale into insignificance beside the stench of dirty clothes, filthy socks, unwashed bodies and unclean mouths that emanates from some careless and unkempt individuals who offend others in gatherings.
Posted on: Sat, 21 Sep 2013 22:12:35 +0000
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