Miswaak (tooth stick / toothbrush) 天然牙齒口腔清潔棒

這個天然的牙齒口腔清潔棒的阿拉伯文拼法好像是Sewak，又好像是Miswaak。(阿拉伯文的拼法常會出現形容同一個東西，拼法不一樣啦 Orz ) Miswaak還有另一種拼法是Miswak。所以我也不是很確定。至少確定英文說法就是tooth stick / toothbrush。只是"產品"本身就是天然的樹枝。

友人說這植物的名稱叫做Arak (Arak bush)。還說只有沙烏地阿拉伯有這種植物。他說伊斯蘭教的穆斯林都用這植物的樹枝(Arak twig)來清潔保健口腔。又說，歐洲某個牌子的牙膏，已經標榜裡面含有這樹枝裡面的某成分。

其實，在我看到埃及人那麼那麼愛吃甜食，飲料那麼那麼愛加糖，而牙齒的損壞程度比我想像得還低時，我就已經對這項"產品"很有興趣，也很有信心了。所以這次一口氣託友人買了十支回來認真用。 :-P

這個不能代替刷牙。所以我大部分都是睡前使用它。有很特別我不曾聞過的植物本身的味道。若像我笨笨的刷到嘴唇，皮膚就可以感覺到辣辣的。也曾不小心吞進喉裡過。一整晚就覺得喉嚨很乾燥就是了。也就是說，我用這個刷過牙齒後，就沒再漱口了。

上網找了一下，發現下面這個網頁介紹，把Miswaak寫得有點"傑克，這真是太神奇了！"嘍。對我來說，只要確定有清潔牙齒口腔的功能就好。

下面是網路商店的網頁，我只轉貼一點點文字說明過來，有興趣瞭解，請自行連結過去看嘍。

http://www.islam.tc/Miswaak/ ↓

The Miswaak Page
Guidelines and Information
From Kitabut Tahaarah and Sunnats
Compiled by Islam.tc

MISWAAK -
twigs of certain trees that are used on a regular basis by Muslims for centuries (and all Prophets Peace upon Them) to maintain oral hygiene and gain the pleasure of Allah SWT. It is a "natural toothbrush." Not only does it provide spiritual benefits, but it is also beneficial to the everyday maintenance of one's mouth, gums, and teeth.

I. Miswaak Quick View of Benefits:
Advantages of the Miswaak:
1. Miswaak strengthens the gums and prevents tooth decay. 2. Miswaak assists in eliminating toothaches and prevents further increase of decay which has already set in. 3. Miswaak creates a fragrance in the mouth. 4. Miswaak is a cure for illness. 5. Miswaak eliminates bad odors and improves the sense of taste. 6. Miswaak sharpens the memory. 7. Miswaak is a cure for headaches. 8. Miswaak creates lustre (noor) on the face of the one who continually uses it. 9. Miswaak causes the teeth to glow. 10. Miswaak strengthens the eyesight. 11. Miswaak assists in digestion. 12. Miswaak clears the voice. 13. The greatest benefit of using miswaak is gaining the pleasure of Allah. 14. The reward of Salaah (Prayers) is multiplied 70 times if Miswaak was used before it.

Times when usage of Miswaak is Sunnah:
1. For the recitation of the Qur'an. 2. For the recitation of Hadith. 3. When the mouth emits and odor. 4. For the learning or teaching of virtues of Islaam. 5. For making Dhikrullah (Remebrance of Allah, meditation). 6. After entering ones home. 7. Before entering any good gathering. 8. When experiencing pangs of hunger and thirst. 9. After the signs of death are evident. 10. At the time of Sehri. 11. Before meals. 12. Before undertaking a journey. 13. On returning from a journey. 14. Before sleeping. 15. Upon awakening.

How long should a Miswaak be?
A Miswaak should not be longer than a "span" i.e. the maximum distance between the tips of the thumb and little finger, and it should not be thicker than a finger's breadth.

How should it be used?
A Miswaak should be held in such a manner that the small finger and thumb is below the miswaak and the remaining fingers on its upper side.

↑ http://www.islam.tc/Miswaak/