1/25. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 46 — Siwak at Every Prayer
The Siwak
Hadith About Siwak at Every Prayer
Sunan Abi Dawud : 46
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 46
حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ سُفْيَانَ، عَنْ أَبِي الزِّنَادِ، عَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، يَرْفَعُهُ قَالَ " لَوْلاَ أَنْ أَشُقَّ، عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ لأَمَرْتُهُمْ بِتَأْخِيرِ الْعِشَاءِ وَبِالسِّوَاكِ عِنْدَ كُلِّ صَلاَةٍ " .
AbuHurayrah Narrated from:
Narrated Abu Hurayrah : (the Prophet, sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) as saying : Were it not that I might overburden the believers, I would order them to delay the night ('isha) prayer and use the tooth-stick at the time of every prayer.
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 46In-book reference : Book 1, Hadith 46English translation : Book 1, Hadith 46
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 46
This hadith about siwak at every prayer shows both love for cleanliness and care for the believers. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said that if he did not fear making things hard for the believers, he would order them to delay the Isha prayer and to use the tooth-stick at the time of every prayer. The main point is easy to see: siwak before prayer is a valued act, and the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم also considered the burden it could place on people if made an order. The hadith uses strong wording about what he would have ordered, but it also explains why he did not make that command. It teaches worship with mercy and cleanliness.
What we learn from this hadith
- Using the tooth-stick at prayer time is presented as a valued practice.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم showed care by not making things hard for the believers.
- The hadith also mentions delaying the Isha prayer in the same context.
- Religious guidance includes both devotion and ease.
