11-09-2003, 11:05 PM
THE USE OF TOOTHPASTE
Many scholars consider the use of toothpaste during the period of fasting as undesirable (makruuh), because it is a thorough or rather extensive way of cleaning the teeth. This would have been all right if not because of the fasting. The reason why thorough cleaning is considered makruuh is because of the fear of swallowing water as one attempts to rinse and flush out the taste and soapy residue of toothpaste. This fear is justified by hadith reported by Laqit bin Sabrah (raa) that the Messenger of Allah said: "Perfect your Wudu, clean between your fingers and sniff water thoroughly unless you are fasting." (Abu Dawud and Nasa'e)