Question
Is there a Hadith that states that the angels place their mouth by the mouth of the person who recites Quran after making miswak?
Answer
Imam Bazzar (rahimahullah) has recorded the following narration:
Sayyiduna ‘Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
“When a person uses a miswak and then stands up to offer Salah, an Angel stands behind him and listens to his recital. The Angel then comes closer and places its mouth on this person’s mouth. Whatever this person recites then enters the Angel’s stomach. So purify your mouth [by using the miswak] when reciting Quran”
(Musnad Bazzar, Hadith: 603)
‘Allamah Mundhiri and Hafiz Haythami (rahimahumallah) have declared the chain of narrators as reliable.
(Targhib, vol. 1, pg. 167 and Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 2, pg. 99)
Imam Abu Bakr ibn Abi Shaybah and Imam Bayhaqi (rahimahumallah) have recorded this narration as the statements of Sayyiduna ‘Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhu). Imam Ibn Majah (rahimahullah) has recorded a similar shorter narration with a weak chain, also as the statements of Sayyiduna ‘Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhu).
(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, Hadith: 1810 via a reliable chain, As Sunanul Kubra, vol. 1, pg. 38 and Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith: 291)
‘Allamah Mundhiri (rahimahullah) seems to prefer this version [i.e., as the statements of Sayyiduna ‘Ali -radiyallahu ‘anhu-].
(Targhib, vol. 1, pg. 167. Also see Imam Bazzar’s comments after Hadith: 603 and Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 2, pg. 99)
Nevertheless, it will still be understood that Sayyiduna ‘Ali heard this from Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) as the nature of this narration is not such that Sayyiduna ‘Ali could have thought up logically.
(Refer: Footnotes of Musannaf ibn Abi Shaybah, of Shaykh Muhammad ‘Awwamah, under Hadith: 1810)
Note: Brushing the teeth with a miswak before Quran recital is one of ten recommended times for using it.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar