Silsilah as-Sahihah 426 — Tayammum before reaching water

Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrates that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would urinate and perform istinja with earth. I said: O Messenger of Allah! Indeed, water is close to you? The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "What do I know, perhaps I may not reach there."