Sunnah Essentials for Daily Life: Miswak, Surma, and More

Some of the most enduring daily habits in Muslim households aren't modern products at all — they're practices with centuries of continuous use behind them. Miswak and surma are two of the most common, and both are simple enough to fold into an existing routine without much adjustment.

Miswak: the traditional teeth-cleaning twig

Miswak (also called siwak) is a twig, traditionally from the Salvadora persica (arak) tree, used for cleaning teeth by chewing one end into soft bristle-like fibers and brushing with it directly. It's been studied for containing natural antibacterial compounds, and many people use it alongside — not instead of — regular brushing, particularly before prayer.

Getting the most out of a miswak stick

• Trim a small amount off the end and chew gently until the fibers separate into a soft brush — a single stick can be re-trimmed and reused for one to two weeks with normal use.
• Soak the tip briefly in water before use if it has dried out between uses.
• Store it upright in a ventilated holder rather than sealed in plastic, so it doesn't stay damp and develop mold.
• Flavored variants (often mint or clove-infused) are widely available if the natural taste takes getting used to.

Surma: traditional kohl for the eyes

Surma (kohl) is a traditional eye cosmetic, historically used both for appearance and believed to have a cooling, protective effect on the eyes. Quality and safety vary a lot between suppliers — some older, uncertified kohl products have tested high in lead content, which is a real health concern, especially for children. When buying surma, look specifically for products that state they're tested or certified for heavy-metal content rather than assuming all surma is equivalent.

Both of these sit in our Sunnah essentials collection alongside other daily-practice items, if you want to see current stock and options.