A Review on the Sunnah of Miswak (Salvadora Persica) and its Potentiality to Improve Oral Health

Authors

  • Fatin Nurmajina Nordin

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31436/revival.v2i01.59

Abstract

Abstract 

Miswak is the Arabic term for the twig of the Salvadora persica, a small tree (known as arak in Arabic) that grows in sandy areas and on rocky slopes, found predominantly in the Arabian Peninsula but also in Pakistan and India. Miswak is traditionally used by Muslims as an oral hygiene tool. It is mentioned in a number of ahadith and its use is strongly recommended by the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.).  This paper reviews and analyses both Islamic and scientific literature relating to the efficacy of Salvadora persica in improving oral health. Qualitative method is applied in this study by limiting the review and analysis to only the authenticated ahadith texts and only scientific papers based on methodologically sound research. This study finds that the efficacy of Salvadora persica is attributable not only to its mechanical properties but also to its biological (i.e. antibacterial, antifungal and anti-plaque) properties, which help in preventing dental problems such as plaque and caries, as well as gum-related problems such periodontitis and gingivitis.

 

Keywords: oral hygienic tool, Islamic and scientific perspectives, mechanical properties, biological properties, antibacterial.

 

Abstrak 

Salvadora persica atau dikenali sebagai ‘miswak’ dalam bahasa Arab digunakan oleh orang Muslim sejak beberapa dekad yang lalu sebagai alat kebersihan oral. Miswak disebut beberapa kali dalam Hadis dan disarankan oleh Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. Miswak ialah pokok kecil yang dikenali sebagai Arak dalam bahasa Arab yang dijumpai di tebing berbatu-batan dan daratan berpasir terutamanya di Pakistan, India dan Semenanjung Arab. Kertas ini bertujuan meninjau dan menganalisis potensi Salvadora persica dalam meningkatkan kesihatan oral berdasarkan perspektif Islam dan sains. Kaedah qualitatif telah digunakan dalam kajian ini dengan meninjau  teks hadis yang autentik dan kaitannya dengan aplikasi miswak. Sehubungan itu, beberapa kajian saintifik tentang Salvadora persica juga dipaparkan. Kajian ini mendapati bahawa potensi Salvadora persica bukan saja berdasarkan ciri-ciri mekaniknya tetapi juga bergantung kepada ciri-ciri biologi seperti antibakteria, antikulat dan antiplak yang akan membantu mencegah masalah dental seperti plak, karies, penyakit periodontal dan gingivitis.

 

Kata kunci: Alat kesihatan oral, perspektif Islam dan sains, ciri-ciri mekanik, ciri-ciri biologi, antibakteria.

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Published

2012-06-19

How to Cite

Nordin, F. N. (2012). A Review on the Sunnah of Miswak (Salvadora Persica) and its Potentiality to Improve Oral Health. Revelation and Science, 2(01). https://doi.org/10.31436/revival.v2i01.59