This chapter highlights the miswak, a natural tooth-stick used to clean the mouth, and the broader habits of personal cleanliness that suit human nature. It shows how the Prophet cared for purity in small, daily ways.
The hadith describe his constant use of the miswak, especially on waking and on entering his home, and how he stressed it to others. The chapter then widens to other acts of natural cleanliness and grooming. The thread throughout is that keeping clean is part of a wholesome, godly life that even pleases the Lord.
Hadith 1196
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه، أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: "لولا أن أشق على أمتي - أو على الناس- لأمرتهم بالسواك مع كل صلاة" ((متفق عليه)) .
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Had I not thought it difficult for my Ummah, I would have commanded them to use the Miswak (tooth-stick) before every Salat." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
The Prophet so valued cleaning the mouth before prayer that only concern for his community's ease held him back from commanding it. It shows how much he loved this habit.
وعن عائشة رضي الله عنها، قالت: كنا نعد لرسول الله، سواكه وطهوره، فيبعثه الله ما شاء أن يبعثه من الليل، فيتسوك ويتوضأ ويصلي. ((رواه مسلم)).
We used to prepare for the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) a Miswak (tooth-stick) and the water for making Wudu'. Whenever Allah wished to awaken him from sleep at night, he (ﷺ) would brush his teeth with Miswak, make Wudu', and perform Salat. [Muslim].
In plain words
The Prophet's tooth-stick and water were kept ready, and whenever he woke at night he would clean his teeth, perform wudu, and pray. Cleanliness paved the way to worship.
Shuraih bin Hani (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن شريح بن هانئ قال: قلت لعائشة، رضي الله عنها: بأي شيء كان يبدأ النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا دخل بيته. قالت: بالسواك. ((رواه مسلم)).
I asked 'Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her): "What was the first thing which the Prophet (ﷺ) would do when he entered his house?" She replied: "He would use Miswak (tooth-stick)." [Muslim].
In plain words
On entering his home, the first thing the Prophet would do was clean his teeth, showing how naturally cleanliness was woven into his life.
وعن عائشة رضي الله عنها ان النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم : قال: "السواك مطهرة للفم مرضاة للرب" ((رواه النسائي، وابن خذيمة في صحيحه بأسانيد صحيحة)).
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The Miswak (tooth-stick) cleanses and purifies the mouth and pleases the Rubb." [An-Nasa'i and Ibn Khuzaimah].
In plain words
The miswak is described as cleansing and purifying the mouth and pleasing to the Lord, linking a simple hygiene habit to something Allah loves.
وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه، عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: "الفطرة خمس، أو خمس من الفطرة: الختان، والاستحداد، وتقليم الأظفار، ونتف الإبط، وقص الشارب" ((متفق عليه)) (24)
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "There are five acts which conform to the pure nature: Circumcision, removing of the pubic hair, clipping the nails, plucking the underarm hair and trimming the moustache." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
Five acts of natural cleanliness and grooming are listed here as fitting the pure, sound nature Allah created in people.
وعن عائشة رضي الله عنها قالت: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : "عشر من الفطرة: قص الشارب، وإعفاء اللحية، والسواك، واستنشاق الماء، وقص الأظفار، وغسل البراجم، ونتف الإبط، وحلق العانة، وانتقاص الماء" ((قال الراوي: ونسيت العاشرة إلا أن تكون المضمضة، قال: وكيع- وهو أحد رواته-)) . (25) ((رواه مسلم)).(( (26)
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "There are ten demands of pure nature: trimming the moustache, letting the beard grow, using Miswak (tooth-stick), snuffing up water into the nose (in ablution), paring the nails, washing the bases of the finger joints; plucking the underarm hair, removing of the pubic hair and removing impurities with water from the affected part after a call of nature." The subnarrator said: I forgot the tenth but it might possibly be the rinsing of the mouth (in ablution). [Muslim].
In plain words
A list of acts that match humanity's clean and natural disposition, covering grooming and hygiene of the body in everyday life.