Is using the miswak with the right hand or the left hand?

Question : The questioner asks: Is using the miswak with the right hand or the left hand, and what is the basis for that?

Answer : I do not know of any sunnah (recommended practice) from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) that he used the miswak with his right hand or his left hand. For this reason, some scholars said that it should be done with the right hand, because using the miswak is a sunnah (recommended practice), and the superior hand, which is the right one, should be given priority for it. Others said, rather, that it should be done with the left hand, because using the miswak is for removing annoyance and dirt, and the right hand is given priority for annoyance and dirt, as in istinja' (cleaning oneself after relieving oneself) and istijmar (cleaning with dry material).
The left hand, yes, and the left hand is given priority for annoyance and dirt, as in istinja' (cleaning oneself after relieving oneself) and istijmar (cleaning with dry material). Accordingly, one should hold the miswak in the left hand, because that is easier for starting with the right side, since what is required when using the miswak is to start with the right side of the mouth. Some people mentioned to me that they saw a detailed opinion from some scholars on this matter. He said: If the reason for using the miswak is to remove annoyance, then one should hold it in the left hand, as when using it after sleep or after eating; in that case, one should hold it in the left hand to remove the annoyance. However, if his mouth is pure and clean, but he uses the miswak for the sake of the sunnah (recommended practice), then he should hold it in the right hand, because performing a sunnah (recommended practice) is among the noble matters in which the right hand should be used. This distinction is very good, and with it the two causes are combined.