Question # 511: should one do miswak before starting wudu or should one do that before rinsing mouth?

bismi-llahi r-raḥmani r-raḥīm,

Assalamu ‘laikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

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Dear questioner,

First of all, we implore Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) to help us serve His cause and render our work for His sake.

Shorter Answer: The matter is broad in scope because there is no clear evidence from the Sunnah to stipulate any particular time for using the siwaak when making wudu’. Therefore, the scholars have differed concerning this, while some of them said that it should be before saying Bismillah for making wudu’, others said that it should be when rinsing the mouth. Although there is no harm in using the siwaak after finishing wudu’ or before starting to make wudu’, most scholars are of the view that it is better to use siwaak when rinsing the mouth because it makes the mouth cleaner.

Long Answer: The scholars are agreed that it is mustahabb to use the siwaak when doing wudu’ because the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said: “Were it not that it would cause hardship for my ummah, I would have instructed them to use the siwaak every time they do wudu’.”(Narrated by al-Bukhari in a mu‘allaq[1] report. Also narrated by Ibn Khuzaymah in his Saheeh and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Irwa’ al-Ghaleel) It was also narrated by Ahmad: “Were it not that it would cause hardship for my ummah, I would have instructed them to use the siwaak with every wudu’.” (Classed as saheeh by al-Albani in Saheeh al-Jaami‘)

The scholars differed concerning the time for using the siwaak when doing wudu’. Some of them said that it should be before saying Bismillah for doing wudu’ and some of them said that it should be when rinsing the mouth.

Ibn Nujaym (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “There was a difference of opinion concerning the time for that. In al-Nihaayah and Fath al-Qadeer [which are books of the Hanafi madhhab] it says that it should be when rinsing the mouth. In al-Badaa’i‘ and al-Mujtaba it says that it should be before doing wudu’. But most scholars are of the former view, which is more likely to be correct because it makes the mouth cleaner. (Al-Bahr al-Raa’iq)

Al-Zarkashi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: The fact that it is mustahabb to use the siwaak is confirmed in several places, at the time of prayer and when rinsing the mouth during wudu’. (Sharh al-Zarkashi)

Al-Shirwaani (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “The view of the author – meaning Ibn Hajar al-Haytami – is in accordance with the majority, that it should be before saying Bismillah. And the view we adopt is that it should be after washing the hands and before rinsing the mouth. (Hawaashi al-Shirwaani)

What seems to be the case is that the matter is broad in scope, because there is no clear evidence from the Sunnah to stipulate any particular time.

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “Using the siwaak when doing wudu’ should be with rinsing the mouth because this is the point at which the mouth is purified and the siwaak is for purifying the mouth, as it is narrated in a saheeh report from the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) that he said: “The siwaak is purifying for the mouth and pleasing to the Lord.” So, the siwaak should come with rinsing the mouth, but if you wish you may use the siwaak after finishing wudu’, or if you wish you may use it before you start, but it is better if it is done when rinsing the mouth.” (Al-Sharh al-Mukhtasar ‘ala Buloogh al-Maraam) He also said: “The scholars said that it should be used when rinsing the mouth because rinsing the mouth is purifying the mouth, so it should be done at that point. But if that is not possible, then it may be done after wudu’. The matter is broad in scope.” (Liqa’ al-Baab al-Maftooh)

The apparent meaning of the words of Shaykh al-Albani (may Allah have mercy on him) indicates that he thinks that the siwaak should be used before saying Bismillah for wudu’, as he said: “The way it – wudu’ – is done is: using the siwaak, saying Bismillah, washing the hands three times – which is Sunnah – rinsing the mouth, snuffing water into the nose and blowing it out.” (Al-Thamar al-Mustataab)

[1] A mu’allaq (lit. suspended) hadeeth is one in which one or more narrators are omitted from the beginning of its isnad by the muhaddith who compiled the book.

(The above reply is based on an answer on the similar topic provided by Islamqa.info)

Allahu A’lam (Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) knows best) and all Perfections belong to Allah, and all mistakes belong to me alone. May Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) forgive me, Ameen.

Wassalaam