(#119)
Salam Sheikh,
Masha allah the weekly communications are vey beneficial and may Allah protect us from misguidance that eludes us at almost every turn today.
Shiekh, I have a question regarding my hygiene. Subhanallah for a long time now I have been experiencing a foul smell coming from my mouth. I have seen doctors, dentists, hygienists, periodontists, orthodontists, gastro specialist as well as multiple ear nose and throat specialist without much help. I have also turned to miswak in desparation due to not much benefit with anything else but struggled there too.
People are turning away rapidly from me and I am experiencing signs of depression. People in Masjid, in congregation prayers, at work, at family events have all taken a step back with some no longer willing to talk to me at all. Subhanallah, I am still flossing, using dent picks, cleaning the tongue and brushing as often as I can but situation is unreversible. I have had some severe level of depression already but through listening to the quran, and remebering Allah in isolation I find my strength. However as soon as I have to deal with people, I am facing the same situation….cant sleep, cant eat, cant think…all the times.
I have stopped going to Masjid as others have been heavily offended by my hygiene. Ramadan…subhanallah, I understand brothers having a dry mouth and poor hygiene at times but to say the same for me will be a complete understatement as even Muslims at work run away. Khair, I still turn to Allah. In the beginning it used to hurt so much, I would curse, curse, curse others. Now Alhamdolillah I have realised that is wrong thing to do, so I stay patient, do what I can do, chew on lentils, cloves, etc but the situation is dire. A father can battle the world but when his own kids complain of the foul smell, what does he do….Khair…may Allah make me stronger.
Nothing can be so disrupting to a persons motivation subhanallah. From Juniors to Seniors, I am the joke of every gathering…..When I do pray in congregation, tears run down my cheeks seeking Allahs mercy…I dont want to put you on the spot with this email Sheikh but Alhamdollilah Allah SWT guided my to the Hadith which allowed a person with such a problem to stay away from the Mosque so I dont offend Allahs Angels or other brothers, and during Ramadan, I believe I qualify to not to fast as my Hygiene even offends the fasting Muslims…and I can pay Hadya to feed poor. No doubt, Allah is my Rab and he shall give to whom He sees Fit O Allah, pls forgive me sins in return of this challenge.
Sheikh, I am reaching out to you, as this is a very difficult part of my every moment now. Any words of Wisdom and guidance Inshallah from you being a Knowledgeable person in the community will Inshallah provide guidance on this matter for me.
Your Brother in Islam
Answer
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته
حامدا و مصليا و مسلما
Muhtaram
We have received your query dated 19/11/18, our response is as follows:
Firstly, we pray to Allah Ta’ala that he removes all your difficulties and solves all your problems. Ameen
To begin with, it is very essential for every Muslim individual to consistently make Dua to Allah Ta’ala. Allah Ta’alamany a times inflicts problems on us servants to test us and bring us close to Him. Once we endure, tolerate and exercise patience through these trials and tribulations Allah Ta’ala elevates our status. This is why Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi wa sallam) mentions in a Hadeeth
حدثنا بشر بن معاذ العقدي البصري حدثنا حماد بن واقد عن إسرائيل عن أبي إسحق عن أبي الأحوص عن عبد الله قال : قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم “سلوا الله من فضله فإن الله عز و جل يحب أن يسأل وأفضل العبادة انتظار الفرج”
(سنن الترمذى باب فى انتظار الفرج)
Ask Allah for his mercy for Indeed Allah Ta’ala loves to be asked and the best Ibadat is to wait for respite
… meaning that at times of difficulties when a person prays to Allah Ta’ala and is simultaneously conscious of Allah Ta’ala, doesn’t lose faith in Allah Ta’ala but waits for respite then he is beloved in the eyes of Allah Ta’ala. It is not a punishment from Allah Ta’ala as Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi wa sallam) mentions in another Hadeeth
حدثنا قتيبة حدثنا الليث عن يزيد بن أبي حبيب عن سعد بن سنان عن أنس قال : قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم” إذا أراد الله بعبده الخير عجل له العقوبة في الدنيا وإذا أراد الله بعبده الشر أمسك عنه بذنبه حتى يوافي به يوم القيامة” وبهذا الإسناد عن النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم قال” إن عظم الجزاء مع عظم البلاء وإن الله إذا أحب قوما ابتلاهم فمن رضي فله الرضا ومن سخط فله السخط”
(سنن الترمذى باب الصبر على البلاء)
When Allah wishes good for his servants he brings forth for him difficulties in the world and when evil is decreed for him, Allah keeps his sins fully bounded on him so he can be fully recompensed on the day of Judgement.
We can see in the life of Hadhrat Ayyub Alaihis Salaam, he endured great trials and sickness however this was a means to get even closer to Allah Ta’ala.
Therefore, it is necessary to stay steadfast and patient in all conditions and fulfil all the commandments of Allah Ta’ala including the Ramadhan fasts, whichever fasts were missed should be made up as the Fidya will not compensate for the fasts.
Furthermore, it is of paramount importance to consistently make Dua to Allah Ta’ala and put trust on Him. Also continue with reciting the Noble Qur’an in abundance.
Also adopt the following steps:
- Perform 2 Rakaats of Salaatul Haajah.
- Make earnest dua to Allah Ta’ala to grant you Shifaa
- Give some Sadaqah daily.
- Increase the recitation of Istighfaar.
- Read Surah Fatihah 7 times. Blow in the water and drink.
- Drink Zam Zam water with the intention of Shifa.
- Do this with complete Yaqeen (conviction) in the words of Allah Ta’ala and Nabi Sallallahu alai wa sallam.
- Use home herbal remedies.
Secondly, a Muslim should never despair of the hope of Allah Ta’ala. On the authority of Hadrat Abu Hurairah and Hadrat Abdullah ibne Masood Radiyallahu anhuma, Nabi Sallallahu alayhi Wasallam is reported to have said “Allah has not sent down upon a people any disease or sickness but that Allah has sent down a cure for it” (Mishkat 387)
In the book “Natural home remedies for all” the following two remedies have been mentioned:
- Place a slice of cucumber in one’s mouth for 30 seconds to 1 min then discard in the garden.
- Dilute ½ tsp apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and use for gargling (10 second at a time).
However, it is best that you should consult with some Hakeems overseas and Inshallah they will be able to assist you.
If the smell of the mouth can be reduced to such an extent whereby others are not troubled than it will be necessary to attend the Salaah in the Masjid/Musalla.[1]
Lastly, we also advice for you to continue using the Miswaak.
May Allah Ta’ala grant you complete Shifaa and make all your matters easy for you in this world and in the hereafter. Ameen
And Allah Ta’ala knows best
Muhammad Irshad Motara
19th Rabiul Awwal 1440
28th November 2018
Checked and approved by:
Mufti Musayyab Sahib
19th Rabiul Awwal 1440
28th November 2018
[1] Fatawa Mahmoodiya- Pg 250. Vl 15. Farooqiya Qadeem.
