Benefits of Miswak in islam

A Miswak or Siwak, the twig a majority of people from Muslim countries use daily to brush their teeth, is an alien thing to most people in the Western world. Although it might sound outdated to use twigs from trees to clean one’s mouth and teeth, studies conducted on the Miswak prove otherwise, inferring that the Miswak is better than toothpaste for preventing gum disease.

The Miswak, referred to at times as a chewing stick by Westerners, is also an alternative form of medicine. Let’s analyze this “wonder twig,” keeping documented scientific studies as proofs.

But, first of all, why would anyone think of using a tree twig to clean their teeth? The fact is that ancient man did not have the facility of the modern day toothbrush; hence, many cultures have used the Miswak for oral hygiene. The reason for common use of the Miswak by Muslims can be attributed to religious beliefs. The Holy Last Messenger of Islam, Muhammad (peace be upon him), used the Miswak frequently and instructed his followers to do the same.

The Miswak is obtained from the twigs of the Arak, or Peelu tree. Many others varieties are in common use, including walnut and olive.

There are 70 benefits of Miswak as known through ancient Islamic literature. Scientists of today have not yet attempted the study of some of these boons, while others have been proven by labs effective as stated. The benefits of the Miswak range widely; however, the main ones we are examining concern oral health.

A few important benefits of Miswak

· Kills bacteria that causes gum-disease.
· Fights plaque effectively.
· Fights against cavities.
· Removes bad breath and odors from the mouth.
· Creates a pleasant fragrance in the mouth.
· Effectively cleans between teeth due to its bristles being parallel to the handle, rather than perpendicular, which results in effective cleaning between the teeth.
·Increases salivation, thereby inhibiting dry mouth (Xerostomia

Scientific Studies on Miswak
The Wrigley Company conducted a study on the Miswak which was published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry in 2007 . Wrigley’s research concluded that mints laced with Miswak extract were 20 times more effective in killing bacteria than ordinary mints. A small testimony to this fact is that, after half an hour, the mints laced with Miswak extract killed about 60% of the bacteria where as the ordinary mints managed only 3.6%.

In the August 2008 issue of the Journal of Periodontology, there appeared a study conducted by Swedish researchers on the Miswak, as well. The study apparently found that suspended Miswak pieces in a petridish, the medium for culturing bacteria, were able to kill bacteria that cause periodontal disease with out being in physical contact with the bacteria. The researchers, however, suggested that the Miswak pieces may have been sprayed with antibiotic gases, in their attempt to explain the phenomenon.

Yet another study, one comparing the use of the toothbrush and the use of the Miswak (2003) can be reviewed currently online at the website for the U.S. National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health (PubMed).

The study concluded that Miswak was more effective than toothbrushing in reducing plaque and gingivitis provided it was used correctly. Similar studies found on the same website and elsewhere vouch for the effectiveness of Miswak over toothbrush. “The miswak appeared to be more effective than toothbrushing for removing plaque from the embrasures, thus enhancing interproximal health,” stated the researchers.

There have been plenty of published studies on the Miswak and, in fact, entire books published which study its oral and systemic benefits.

With its strong antibacterial properties and perpendicular bristles, the Miswak is a natural toothbrush, toothpaste and floss combined.

Article Take By : dentalhealthsite

The Benefits of Performing Hajj

According to the Islamic law (Sharia), Hajj means intending the holy Ka'aba to perform specific rites. Linguistically, Umrah means the visit. It is so called because it can be performed throughout the lifetime. According to the Islamic law (Sharia), Umrah is heading for the holy Ka'aba to perform the religious rites.

Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam that Allah the Exalted imposed upon those who can able to perform it. The order comes from Allah in the Quranic verse: "Hajj  Pilgrimage to the House (the Ka'aba) is an obligation that humanity owes to Allah, for those who can find a way (i.e. for those who can find the means to do it). And whoever disbelieves (i.e. denies the Hajj), then Allah is beyond any need of all that exists (from His creation)" [Aal 'Imran: 197], and His order in the verse: "The Hajj is in the well-known (lunar) months. 

So whoever intends to perform Hajj in these months, then he should not have sexual relations (with his wife), nor commit sin, nor argue unjustly during the Hajj" [Al-Baqarah: 197], and in His order; "Complete (perform properly) the Hajj and 'Umrah for the sake of Allah" [Al-Baqarah: 196).

From these Quranic verses, we can figure out that Hajj is obligatory on every Muslim who has the physical, financial, and circumstantial ability to reach the sacred precincts of the holy Ka'aba at Makkah Al Mukarrama. As for those who have the ability to do so but do not perform Hajj, then they are committing a major sin from the major sins of Islam and, moreover it is one of the things that leading to disbelief (Kufr). Whoever performs it more than once, these extra Hajj are considered voluntary (nafilah)upon him.

Umrah is also incumbent upon a Muslim once in the lifetime. The Prophet (peace be upon him) had performed Umrah four times in his lifetime, and all of them were in the Hijri month of Dul-Qa'da except that performed with his Hajj.

The Personal benefits of Hajj :-

1 - Hajj grants its performer the remission of his sins and purifies his soul. The prophet (PBH) said: The performance of Umrah is expiation for the sins committed between it and the previous one, and the reward of al-Hajj-al-Mabrur (the one accepted by Allah) is nothing but paradise. The Prophet (PBH) said: Whoever performs Hajj for the sake of Allah only and does not have sexual relations with his wife and does not do any evil or sin who then will return (after Hajj free from all sins) as like as a new borne child. The prophet (PBH) also said: Allah forgives the one who performs Hajj and the one for whom the pilgrim asks forgiveness.

2 - Hajj purifies the soul illuminating the mind with the sparks of I'man (Faith).

3 - Hajj strengthens one's belief and brings the pilgrim closer to the Allah.

4 - Hajj, as a travel, familiarizes man with patience, discomfort and teaches him discipline and abidance by orders.

The collective benefits of Hajj :-

The main goal is to make Muslims of all colors; kinds and nationalities meet in an international gathering, discuss Islamic matters and unite their efforts against their enemies. Through Hajj, people feel they are equal: Arab equal to non-Arab, white equal to black and rich equal to poor people.

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