Q215 :Fasting : Use of miswak or brushing teeth
during fasting
A215 : A miswak is a short stick which is taken from
the branches of a particular tree, known as ‘araak’. When the outer
skin is removed it can be used as a toothbrush. Normally it is used
without any toothpaste. It apparently has good cleansing effects on the
teeth. The use of such a miswak is renetmended during ablution and
before prayer. To use a miswak or a toothbrush when one is fasting is
permissible. However, when one uses toothpaste, one puts oneself
unnecessarily in a position which could spoil one’s fasting. When one
rinses his mouth, he needs to do that thoroughly, not as he does
normally in ablution. Therefore, there is really a danger of swallowing
something involuntarily. That is enough to render his fasting invalid
for the day. From another point of view, it is discouraged to use a
miswak or toothbrush after midday on any fasting day. The Prophet
mentions that the smell of the mouth of a person who is fasting is
“better, in Allah’s view, than the smell of musk.” When he uses a
miswak or a toothbrush, he spoils that smell. This is the reason why it
is discouraged. But it does not invalidate his fasting if he does not
swallow anything of the water with which he rinses his mouth or washes
out the toothpaste.
Our Dialogue ( Source : Arab News – Jeddah )