Section : Tayammum, the dry ablution. Definition. Literally tayammum means “aim, purpose.” In Islamic law, it refers to “aiming for or seeking soil to wipe one’s face and hands with the intention of preparing oneself to pray, and so on.”
Section : Proof of its legitimacy. This is proven by the Qur’an, sunnah and ijma’ (consensus). The Qur’an says, “And if you are ill, or on a journey, or one of you comes from relieving himself, or you have touched…
Section : Blessing from Allah. This form of ablution is viewed as a blessing from Allah to the Muslims. Jabir relates that the Prophet, upon whom be peace, said, “I have been given five things that were not given to…
Section : The reason for its legitimacy. Said ‘Aishah, “We went out with the Messenger of Allah on one of his journeys until we reached Baida’. At this place, one of my bracelets broke and fell somewhere. The Messenger of…
Section : One cannot find water, or the amount one finds is insufficient for ablution. ‘Imran bin Husain said, “We were with the Messenger of Allah during a journey. When he led the people in prayer, one man stayed apart.…
Section : One is injured or ill. If one is in this condition, and believes water will worsen it (he does not have to be absolutely sure, but may base his opinion on past experience or what a knowledgeable person…
Section : If the water is cold enough to physically harm the user. This is only allowed on the condition that he can find no one to heat it, or is unable to use the public bathrooms. ‘Amr ibn al-‘Aas…
Section : When water is nearby, but one does not want to fetch it due to fear. If one fears for his life, family, wealth, (for example, if an enemy is nearby–beast or human–or one is a prisoner, and so…
Section : If one is saving his water for later use. This could be for a hound, for dough, cooking or to remove an impurity that is not pardonable. Says Imam Ahmad, “Many of the companions performed tayammum to save…
Section : One can get water, but fears that the prayer will be over by the time he gets it. He can perform tayammum and pray, and does not need to repeat his prayer (after he gets water).
Section : The soil used for tayammum. It must be pure soil: this can be sand, stone, gypsum, and so on. Says Allah, “Perform tyammum with pure soil,” and all scholars of Arabic agree that “soil” is whatever covers the…
Section : How to perform tayammum. First, one must have the intention (see the section on ablution). Then, he mentions Allah’s name, strikes the soil with his hands, wipes his face and his hands up to the wrist. Nothing is…
Section : What tayammum makes permissible. After doing so, he is pure and may do any of the acts requiring prior purification, such as praying and touching the Qur’an. He does not have to perform it during the time of…
Section : What nullifies tayammum. In addition to the presence of water, everything that nullifies the ablution nullifies tayammum. If a person prays after performing tayammum and then finds water, he does not need to repeat his prayer even if…
Section : Wiping Over Casts, Wrappers and Similar Items. It is allowable to wipe over any wrapper or diseased or injured bodily part. There are many hadith on this point, and although they are all weak, their many chains strengthen…