Muslims should avoid causing offence

Editor-Raghav Chawla's article about bad breath was an interesting read,¹ but I must correct his misrepresentation of the prophet Muhammad as the "founder of Islam." Muhammad was in no way a founder but a messenger of God chosen to spread the beliefs and teachings of Islam to humanity.

When Muhammad asked the man whose breath smelt of garlic to leave the congregational prayer, it was because the smell was offensive to others praying, and Muslims are encouraged to avoid causing offence to others-whether by taking care of your appearance or avoiding halitosis.

1. Chawla R. Bad breath. studentBMJ 2005;13:13. (January.)