Madinah Miswak merchants are cleaning up during Ramadan, but the goodnatured salesmen aren’t giving their customers the short end of the stick.
Sewak or Miswak (tooth cleaner), sales are very popular in Madinah, especially during Ramadan and Haj.
It is one of the most popular trades in Madinah and Makkah — and it is a low-investment, high-profit business. Sewak is a Sunnah by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to instruct all Muslims to clean their teeth every day after each prayer.
Many Muslims still use the Sewak because they believe it is efficient, kills bacteria and is less costly. Arab News took a field trip around the holy mosque to interview Miswak merchants and pilgrim purchasers. We first met Muhammad Al-Kharmi, a 63-year-old man who was selling Miswaks right outside the mosque.
“This is our season when there are lots of pilgrims and visitors. Pilgrims buy Miswaks in large quantity,” Al-Kharmi said. “They prefer to buy Miswaks from Madinah because Madinah is a holy city. Many think that these Miswaks are made in Madinah. The thing is — most of them are brought in from the south.”
“The business is good, and it is fun,” said Abu Saleh, a 55-year-old Miswak seller. “To me, it is fun sitting near the holy mosque, talking to pilgrims, watching people coming and going and making a little profit.” And Miswaks mean money for him. “I buy Miswaks from dealers from a place between Al-Leeth and Al-Gunfotha in the south, I pay SR80 for 100 Miswaks and I sell each between SR2 and SR5 depending on the type of Miswak. During the busy season I make a profit between SR250 to SR350 per day. On normal days, I make between SR80 and SR90 per day. I sell Miswaks most of the day. I take turns with my son and take a few breaks in the afternoon. I sell different kinds of Miswaks, like Al-Arak, Al-Hulai and Abu Hans. The most popular and most expensive is Al-Arak and it is the type most often sold.”
“I love this business, and I am glad to see mostly Saudi youth and young children in this seasonal business instead of wasting their time idling,” Abu Saleh says.
The pilgrims have come to Madinah for centuries, and Miswak marketing passes from one generation to the next. “I learned this job from my father. I used to go with him every day when I was young and sit next to him and watch him sell Miswaks and talk to pilgrims,” Omar Al-Sadi, a 23-year-old Saudi man, told Arab News.
“I love to do this job in Ramadan and Haj when the business is good. During normal days, the business is slow and, to be honest with you, I would rather do something else other than selling Miswaks,” he said.