Salam,
I came across a shirt that said “Your breath would make an onion cry”, and it reminded me of an important hadith. 
Alot of brothers from time to time come to the masjid with their breaths kicking like soccer.
All of you know what I’m taking about, onions! Maybe garlic also, hehe.
Just in case your Muslim and you don’t already, Abu Huraira reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said:
He who eats of this plant (garlic) should not approach our mosque and should not harm us with the odour of garlic.
In another hadith, it was said by Jabir (R):
The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) forbade eating of onions and leek. When we were overpowered by a desire (to eat) we ate them. Upon this the (the Holy Prophet) said: He who eats of this offensive plant must not approach our mosque, for the angels are harmed by the same things as men.
Being clean is half the deen, not only purifying our inner selves but besides doing wudu and taking showers, we should all be on top of other aspects such as having a clean breath. Something so fundamental in Islam is often left aside when we are trying to be a practicing Muslims.
Nowadays Alhumduililah we have alot of options. This includes Alcholol free mouthwash, miswaks, oral b sonic toothbrushes with herbal mint ADA (American Dental Association) approved toothpastes and I forgot the 10,000 options we have for different gums when we enter the grocery aisle.
So the resources are here, we just need to utilize them. At the end of the day, we are all representatives of Islam and we should do our best to present this religion in a beautiful manner to Non Muslims. This begins with our character leading to other aspects such as how we dress, talk, pray, remember Allah swt and help those who are in need.
Don’t take this personally, we are all victims of this. I just find it interesting how some of the most impressive Muslims who stay on top of everything else can’t have a clean breath.
Anyways it’s all good when your fasting though. =)
Here are some quick tips on how to avoid having a bad breath:
- Do wudu
- Keep remembering your walking Daw’ah, this will encourage you to keep yourself fresh.
- Brush your teeth or use mouthwash right after you eat
- Use the miswak after you pray
- Carry some halal gum or mints at all times
- Don’t go to the Masjid right after you eat onions or garlic unless you kill the odor. After all we wouldn’t go to a job interview in that condition.
- As stated above, our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) said the Angels are harmed by them! See this website for more details.
I’m sure there are other ways to get rid of bad breath, share your ideas or tips!
Here is another article I wrote a while back called – Miswak or Toothpaste…just clean your teeth please.
Oh and this article is meant for brothers and sisters, May Allah swt guide us all on the straight path, Ameen.
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It drives me crazy when I'm standing next to a brother who keeps burping during salah! I don't get it, do some cultures not find it rude to burp?!
hehe, I like this post v.much! btw, you were featured as one of the top blogs of 2009 on my post. Check it out: http://hijabirants.blogspot.com/2009/12/happy-new…
LOL….good post.
Haha! i must say good post, with a good point!
Start the new year with fresh breath.
Btw, I found the hadeeth interesting. Could u please tell me where you found it? Or find other hadeeths u share with us on this site?
But u have got a really good blog, its a lot of interesting subjects you share. Keep up the good work!
Brothers and sisters. My name is Jibril. I know my comment is a bit out of the topic but I can't look for someone to ask about this. Who can explain the Qur'an 9:25 please I need an answer. The local Imam is far away from here cause I live in a place were christianity is majority. Please write the ansewr in my facebook.
alfonsog31@yahoo.com
-salam duwa!
salam ,
I know this isn't a political blog, but what's happening in Gaza is humanity . Can you post news about what are happening to the convoys trying to go in with aid? http://gazafreedommarch.wordpress.com/
Yeah, fresh breath is important for projecting a positive image. I would add "floss regularly" to the list of tips as well.
Body odor, too. Some people come into the masjid and it's like they just popped right off the treadmill to pray. Allahu a3lam, maybe it's not something they can control but it's really hard to concentrate on your prayer when you're trying not to breathe.
Walaikum as-Salam bro,
Jazakallah for the nice article, yet again. To everyone else, sometimes someone may not know that they have bad breath or body odor (just take that into consideration before passing judgement).
Our Prophet (SAW)always brushed his teeth. It was almost obligatory for us to brush before every salah!
Well, he didn't really brush his teeth, but cleaned it with a miswak.
Walikum assalam bro
gud post
would that mean leeks and onions are haram?
haha thnx for the reminder…
its good advice esp. for us Hummus lovers…
hahahaa
=P
A good advice, we all should try to be clean and fresh. Cleanliness is a part of our religion and also science tells us that cleanliness leads to health n beauty.