الشمائل المحمدية
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Were it not that I would cause difficulty for my followers, I would command them to use the tooth-stick with every prayer.”
عن أبي هريرة -رضي الله عنه- قال: قال رسول الله -صلى الله عليه وسلم-: (لولاَ أن أَشُقَّ عَلَى أُمَّتِي؛ لَأَمَرتُهُم بِالسِّوَاك عِندَ كُلِّ صَلاَة).
شرح الحديث :
The Prophet’s exhortation to his followers to use the tooth-stick indicates how sincerely he would advise them, wish them well, and want them to do everything by which they can reap benefits and attain happiness. Aware of the numerous benefits and good impact of the tooth-stick, he would almost oblige his followers to use it before every ablution or prayer. “With every ablution” occurs in another narration. However, out of his great mercy and compassion towards his followers, he feared that Allah, the Almighty, might render it an obligation and that they would not perform it and thus fall into sin. That is why he abstained from ordering them to do so and only encouraged it.