Is using the miswak with the right hand or the left?
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The Shaykh : As for using the miswak, the scholars differed on it. Some scholars said: with the right hand, because using the miswak is a recommended practice (sunnah), so it is its right to be honored.
And some of them said: with the left hand, because using the miswak is removing a nuisance, and the left hand is more deserving of removing a nuisance than the right hand. For this reason, blowing the nose is done with the left hand, cleaning oneself after relieving oneself is done with the left hand, and using pebbles for cleaning is done with the left hand. Using the miswak is done with the left hand because it is removing a nuisance. Some scholars detailed the ruling and said: if using the miswak is for the sake of the recommended practice (sunnah), then it is with the right hand; and if using the miswak is for purification, then it is with the left hand. There is no doubt that using the miswak is for purification, and there is no doubt that using the miswak is an act of worship, as came in the authentic hadith:Sunan an-Nasa'i 5Sahih (Darussalam). Based on that, I say: the matter in this is broad. If he wishes, he uses the miswak with the right hand, and if he wishes, he uses it with the left hand. And the same applies to wearing a ring, meaning: wearing the ring; if he wishes, with the right hand, and if he wishes, with the left hand. And the same applies to wearing a watch; if he wishes, with the right hand, and if he wishes, with the left hand. Yes.
And some of them said: with the left hand, because using the miswak is removing a nuisance, and the left hand is more deserving of removing a nuisance than the right hand. For this reason, blowing the nose is done with the left hand, cleaning oneself after relieving oneself is done with the left hand, and using pebbles for cleaning is done with the left hand. Using the miswak is done with the left hand because it is removing a nuisance. Some scholars detailed the ruling and said: if using the miswak is for the sake of the recommended practice (sunnah), then it is with the right hand; and if using the miswak is for purification, then it is with the left hand. There is no doubt that using the miswak is for purification, and there is no doubt that using the miswak is an act of worship, as came in the authentic hadith:
