Can a toothbrush replace the Miswaak if its bristles are from the Miswaak tree?
Question
Can a toothbrush replace the Miswaak if it’s bristles are from the Miswaak tree?
Answer
A.There are two Sunnahs of cleansing the mouth:
1) Cleaning of the mouth
2) Using the actual Miswaak twig/stick.
The Sunnah of cleansing the mouth using a toothbrush, with or without the bristles being extracted from the Miswaak twig/stick will be fulfilled by using a toothbrush. However, the Sunnah of using the actual Miswaak twig/stick will not be achieved and cannot be replaced by using a toothbrush.
The best form of a Miswaak is using the twig/stick sourced from the Arak tree and then the olive tree. In the absence of the twig/stick sourced from the Arak and olive tree, using the finger will suffice in fulfilling the Sunnah of cleansing the mouth. (Majmaul-Anhur 1/13 ; Fataawa Mahmoodiyyah 5/126/127)
N.B. Using the toothbrush is simply permissible.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
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