What Should a Junub Do if Water is Unavailable?

Hazrat Ammar narrates that once I had gone out to graze the camels when I became junub, and there was no water available. So I began to roll in the dust like an animal. Then I presented myself before the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and related the whole matter. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said that tayammum would have been sufficient for you.

Hazrat Imran bin Husain narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, led the people in prayer during a journey. He saw that a man was standing apart from the people in a corner. He asked, "Why did you not pray with the people?" He replied, "O Messenger of Allah! I became junub and did not find water." The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, "You could have performed tayammum with earth; that would have been sufficient for you."

It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Dharr that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Pure earth is a purifier for you as long as you do not find water, even if ten years pass. When you find water, then use it on your skin."

It is narrated from Hazrat Hudhaifah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: When we do not find water, the earth's soil has been made a means of purification for us.

Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) says in the explanation of this verse: { وَلاَ جُنُبًا إِلاَّ عَابِرِی سَبِیلٍ } That is, a traveler who does not find water should perform tayammum and offer prayer.

Hazrat Hasan bin Muslim, in the explanation of this verse, says: { وَلاَ جُنُبًا إِلاَّ عَابِرِی سَبِیلٍ } that if you are a traveler, then perform tayammum.

Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) says in the explanation of this verse: { وَلاَ جُنُبًا إِلاَّ عَابِرِی سَبِیلٍ } that by this is meant the traveler.

Hazrat Sulaiman bin Musa says that this refers to such travelers who do not find water.