The Importance of Brushing the Teeth in ISLAM

Brushing the teeth not only helps one look better and feel healthier, but also it pleases God. The religious leaders of Islam emphasized on this fact and suggested their followers to brush their teeth too. According to Prophet Muhammad, “If you brush your teeth before saying your prayers, that prayer is better than seventy five prayers one says without brushing his teeth.”‌ Imam Sadiq said, “When you wake up at night to say your prayers, brush your teeth. Because an angel comes down and puts its mouth on yours and takes with it every word you say to the heavens. Therefore, it is better if your breath and words smell nice.”‌ In the Mesbah Al-Shari’a book, Imam Sadegh quoted from Prophet Muhammad, “Brushing the teeth not only cleans the mouth, but also pleases God.”‌ One of the things that Prophet Muhammad never forgot to do was brushing his teeth. If you think about it, you will find out that brushing the teeth has many different advantages. Still, a sane person knows that brushing teeth is a physical act and improves the health in one’s body only and in order to purify the soul too, they need to pray to God, to worship Him, and to ask Him to forgive the sins they have committed. Prophet Muhammad said that brushing the teeth was like a means that awakened the souls; teeth are made clear and white with the aim of chewing the food and helping the digestion, but they become dirty and damaged by chewing the food. When people clean their teeth with a toothbrush, it is like they are sending away the sins from their heart by thinking about God. Once one’s heart loses its clearance because of the sins, they should repent and clean it just like they brush their teeth. Imam Sadiq said, “Brushing the teeth has 12 characteristics. It’s the tradition of Prophet Muhammad, it clears the mouth, improves the eye sight, pleases God, purifies the mouth, cures oral diseases, strengthens the gums, increases the appetite, sends away the phlegm, improves the memory, adds to the virtues, and pleases the angels.”‌ Prophet Muhammad also recommended people to brush their teeth, while he actually meant that they should purify their soul. Those who are wise enough to understand these words, are rewarded by the knowledge of God, and no punishment is more severe than being distanced from God. Brushing the teeth is one of the pleasant things a Muslim could do and it has been talked about in many different sayings. Prophet Muhammad said that he would have made it obligatory for the people to brush their teeth if it had not been difficult for them. It has been recommended to Muslims to brush their teeth especially before they say their prayers, as such a prayer is rewarded much more than one that is said without brushing the teeth. Translated by: Sadroddin Musawi @ Tebyan.net