عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ ‏ “‏ أَعْذَرَ اللَّهُ إِلَى امْرِئٍ أَخَّرَ أَجَلَهُ حَتَّى بَلَّغَهُ سِتِّينَ سَنَةً ‏”

Abu Hurayrah RA narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Allah leaves no excuse for a person whose life He lengthens until he reaches 60 years of age.” [Bukhari]

قَالَ العلماء : معناه لَمْ يَتْرُكْ لَهُ عُذراً إذِ أمْهَلَهُ هذِهِ المُدَّةَ . يقال : أعْذَرَ الرجُلُ إذِا بَلَغَ الغايَةَ في العذر

The scholars have stated that the meaning of this is that there remains no excuse for a person since Allah gave him such a long respite.

This Hadith explains that one, who lived a long life and had the ability to do good deeds but did not do so, has no excuse for his shortcoming. Such a person should immediately repent, engage in the worship of Allah, and focus upon the Hereafter.

Once a person reaches the age of 60, he should regard his time to leave the world to be close.

EASY GOOD DEED – Miswak

Miswak, or siwak, is a natural tooth-stick made from a twig of a tree. Typically made from peelu, olive or walnut tree. It is used to clean the teeth, and holds an important place in Islam. The reason for this is that our blessed and beloved Prophet ﷺ, along with all the other prophets (Ala Nabiyyina wa Alayhim as-Salat wa as-Salam), used it regularly, and strongly advised his followers to do the same. There are more than 40 Ahadith than mention the use of the miswak.

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ السِّوَاكُ مَطْهَرَةٌ لِلْفَمِ مَرْضَاةٌ لِلرَّبِّ‏.‏

It was narrated from Abu Bakr RA that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: `The siwak is cleansing to the mouth and pleasing to the Lord` [Musnad Ahmad]

It is mentioned in one narration of Tabrani that Rasoolullah ﷺ never went for any Salaah without performing Miswak. [Mu’jam al-Kabeer]

Tabrani narrates another Hasan narration on the authority of Hadrat Ali RA, citing that Rasoolullah ﷺ said:

لَوْلاَ أَنْ أَشُقَّ عَلَى أُمَّتِي لأَمَرْتُهُمْ بِالسِّوَاكِ عِنْدَ كُلِّ صَلاَةٍ

“If I did not feel that it would be difficult upon my Ummah, I would have commanded them to perform miswak with every Wudu.” [Mu’jam al-Awsat]

The ulema say that there are more than 70 benefits, both physical and spiritual of using the miswak. Some of the benefits are listed below.

i) It increases the barakah in wealth

ii) Results in improved memory

iii) The Person is able to recite the kalima at the time of death. The Masha’ikh have mentioned that a person (believer) who is habitual of making Miswak, will be blessed with the opportunity of being able to recite the Kalima at the time of his death.

iv) Improves the eyesight

v) The reward of Salaah increases 70 times.

Abu Nu’aym narrates on the authority of Hadrat Jaabir RA that Rasoolullah ﷺ said, ‘To perform 2 Raka’ats after performing Miswak is more exalted than 70 Raka’ats which is performed without performing Miswak.’ [Targhib wa at-Tarheeb]

It is unfortunate that these days this Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ is largely forgotten. May Allah help us revive this Sunnah.