Shar‘i Ruling on Ghusl and Tayammum During Gas Outage
❖ Question:
Gas remains unavailable from 10 PM to 7 AM. If someone needs to perform ghusl during this time, and using cold water is not feasible, can they perform tayammum instead?
❖ Answer by: Shaykh Abdul Wakeel Nasir ḥafiẓahullāh
➊ If Cold Water Is Unbearable
◈ If the water is extremely cold to the extent that using it could lead to illness or harm, then tayammum is permissible.
◈ A person is the best judge of their physical condition and tolerance, so if the body truly cannot endure cold water, one may perform tayammum.
➋ Temporary vs. Ongoing Issue
◈ Tayammum is allowed in occasional or temporary situations.
◈ However, if this becomes a daily or ongoing issue, then relying on tayammum permanently is not valid.
◈ In that case, it becomes obligatory to arrange a permanent solution for heating water.
➌ Practical Solutions
✔ Thermal Water Tanks:
Use insulated tanks that retain warm water overnight. Fill them before gas shuts off so warm water is available by morning.
✔ Wood-Fired Heating:
Where possible, use firewood or other traditional means to heat water, especially in rural areas where this remains common practice.
❖ Summary:
✔ Tayammum is permissible if the cold water poses a genuine health risk.
✔ If the gas issue is temporary, tayammum is allowed occasionally.
✔ For permanent or recurring issues, a stable method to obtain warm water must be arranged.
✔ Use thermal tanks or other heating methods to ensure proper ghusl can be performed in a timely manner.
