It is recommended to use the miswak when rinsing the mouth or before it; so that one can attain the virtue mentioned in the saying of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): "The virtue of prayer with the miswak over prayer without it is seventy times greater," narrated by Ahmad, Al-Bazzar, Abu Ya'la, Ibn Khuzaymah, and Al-Hakim from Aisha. This virtue is achieved by using it during ablution, so every prayer performed with that ablution has this virtue. And due to his saying (peace be upon him): "If it were not for the difficulty it would cause my nation, I would have commanded them to use the miswak for every ablution," in Sahih Al-Bukhari 2: 682. If one forgets it while rinsing the mouth or before it, it is recommended to use it when standing for prayer. Some have said that it is recommended in five situations: when the teeth become yellow, when the breath changes, when getting up from sleep, when standing for prayer, and during ablution. The rough cloth or finger can substitute for the miswak when it is unavailable, just as chewing gum can serve as a substitute in terms of reward for a woman if she has the intention. Refer to: Tabyin Al-Haqaiq 1: 4, and Tuhfat Al-Nusak on the virtue of the miswak, p. 47, and Radd Al-Muhtar 1: 77, and Al-Hadiyah Al-Alaiyah p. 24, and Badai Al-Sanai 1: 19, and Al-Ikhtiyar 1: 12.