As Salaamu Alaikum,
I pray that you all are well physically and spiritually. I have two questions that I would like to ask:
(1) A brother asked how short the miswak could get before you need to get another one
(2) Someone else had mentioned that when you are done with the miswak you have to bury it because it has become part of your body. Is this correct?
Jazakamullahu Kahirun for your time and effort.
Wa Alaikum As Salaam,
1. The length of the Miswak should be one span (i.e. the distance from the end of the thumb to the end of the little finger of a spread hand) and the size is to the thickness of one’s small finger. On should continue to use it until it can be used, even though it becomes short. When it becomes too short or old/dry and cannot be used any more, then one can change it. (Ghunya Al Mutamali pg. 33 – Suhail Academy Lahore, Fatawa Mahmoodiya vol. 5 pg. 47 Idaarat Farooq Karachi).
2. There is no requirement to bury it. It can be disposed of in any manner as one disposes other things like his toothbrush etc. It is not correct to think that one must bury it, nor is it correct to say that it has become part of one’s body.
And Allah Knows best.
Mufti Waseem Khan.
4/1/2014