How to use a miswak

You may think that I have been using the Miswāk for several years but my teeth and stomach are still disturbed. My simple Islamic brothers! Guilty is yours and not that of Miswāk. There may be one among millions who performs Miswāk according to its guidelines. Most of us just rub the Miswāk haphazardly on our teeth while performing Wuḍū. It may be said that we performs “a custom ofMiswāk” and not the “Sunnaĥ of Miswāk”. 

1. Thickness of Miswāk should be equal to the little finger. 
2. Miswāk should not be longer than a hand span otherwise Satan will sit on it.
3. The bristles of the Miswāk should be soft. Hard bristles will cause a gap between the gums and teeth.
4.  If Miswāk is fresh then its good; otherwise soak it in a glass of water until it becomes soft. 
5. Cut the bristles everyday. The bristles are effective only when they contain bitterness. 
6. Rub the Miswāk over the width of your teeth. 
7. Use the Miswāk three times.
8. Wash it each time. 
9. Hold the Miswāk in your right hand with your little finger under the Miswāk, the middle three finger gripping it and the thumb towards the bristle end of Miswāk. 
10. First clean the top right row of the teeth then top left row. Then clean the bottom right row and then the bottom left row of the teeth.
11. There is a risk of enlargement of the spleen of a person who uses Miswāk while laying on bed/ground.
12. To perform Miswāk while holding in fist, there is a risk of piles disease.
13. Miswāk is preceding Sunnaĥ for Wuḍū but if one has fouling breath, using Miswāk is Sunnat-e-Muakkadaĥ.
14. Don’t throw away the used bristles or used Miswāk. Instead, place it at a safer place e.g bury under the ground or sink into the sea etc. as it is sacred, being tool for acting upon bury under the ground or sink into the sea etc. as it is sacred, being tool for acting upon