Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Is it disliked to use a tooth stick (miswak) without wetting it?
The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said,
“Had I not feared hardship for my Community, I would have ordered them to brush their teeth (siwak) for every prayer.”
[Bukhari and Muslim]
He also said (peace and blessings be upon him) that,
“Brushing one’s teeth cleans the mouth and pleases the Lord.”
[Bukhari]
And he said (peace and blessings be upon him),
“Cleanliness is half of faith.”
[Muslim]
Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,
It is recommended that the toothstick (siwak) be firm, but moist, and that it not be dry, in order not to harm the gums.
1. In Bada’i` al-Sana’i` it states that, “It is permitted to use a wet or dry toothstick (siwak).” [1.19]
2. In the Fatawa Hindiyya it states among the recommendations regarding the toothstick (siwak) that it be moistened. [1.7]
3. In Radd al-Muhtar of Ibn Abidin, it quotes al-Siraj stating that it is recommended that the toothstick (siwak) not be dry in order not to harm the gums. [1.115]
And Allah alone gives success.
Wassalam,
Faraz Rabbani