Question

Is there any Hadith regarding the food particles that are stuck in the teeth.

I have heard that it is haram to eat the food particles taken out from the teeth.

Answer

In the Hadith, we are taught to pick the teeth after meals. However, we are advised to not swallow the food particles that are picked with the fingers or toothpicks. This is not binding [i.e., not haram], but advisable. See the Hadith below:

Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

“…Whoever eats and removes the [left over] food from between his teeth with his finger [or any foreign object, like a toothpick] should spit it out. What he removes [from the teeth] with his tongue, he may swallow. Whoever abides by this does well, and who does not, will not be sinful.”

(Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith: 36, Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith: 337 and Sunan Darimi, Hadith: 689 and 2132)

Imams Hakim and Dhahabi (rahimahumallah) have declared this Hadith authentic (sahih).

(Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 4, pg. 137. Also see: Sahih Ibn Hibban; Al-Ihsan, Hadith: 1410)

The reason for spitting what is removed with a toothpick is due to the possibility of it having blood on it.

(Badhlul Majhud, vol. 1, pg. 23)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,

Answered by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar