Explanation of Tayammum
Tayammum is a legislated method that is adopted when water is not available. In it, clean earth is rubbed on the face and hands with the intention of wudu or ghusl. The legislation of tayammum, the situations in which it is permissible, its method, and important rulings are explained in detail below in the light of the Qur’an and Hadith:
Definition of Tayammum
When water is not found, wiping the face and hands with clean earth is called tayammum.
Tayammum is used as a substitute for wudu or ghusl when water is not available or its use is not possible.
Various Situations of Unavailability of Water
◈ Not finding water during a journey.
◈ Access to water posing a threat to life, such as:
Having no water at home while there is a curfew outside.
Danger to life from an enemy or a predator when fetching water.
If such a situation continues for even many years, tayammum will still remain permissible.
Hadith:
Sayyidina Abu Dhar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
“Clean earth is the wudu of the Muslims, even if he does not find water for ten years.”
The Occasion for the Legislation of Tayammum
Umm al-Mu’minin Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated:
“We were on a journey with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. When we reached Bayda or Dhat al-Jaysh, my necklace was lost, and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ ordered us to halt. There was no water there. Then morning came, and Allah revealed the verse of tayammum.”
On this occasion, Sayyidina Usayd ibn Hudayr (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
“O family of Abu Bakr! This is not your first blessing.”
Tayammum in a State of Janabah
If water is not found in a state of janabah, or if there is so little that wudu cannot be performed, tayammum may be performed.
Hadith:
Sayyidina Imran ibn Husayn (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
“A man became junub and did not find water, so the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: ‘It is obligatory upon you (to perform tayammum with) earth. Indeed, it is sufficient for you.'”
Tayammum for a Patient or an Injured Person
If a person is ill, weak, or there is a fear of death or illness from using water, he may perform tayammum.
Hadith:
Sayyidina Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) said:
“In the cold season, a man performed ghusl and died. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: ‘They killed him. May Allah kill them! Indeed, Allah has made earth a purifier.'”
Incident:
Sayyidina Amr ibn al-As (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
“In the Battle of Dhat al-Salasil, on a cold night I had a wet dream. I performed tayammum and prayed. When this matter was presented before the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, he laughed and said nothing.”
Method of Tayammum
◈ Make the intention.
◈ Strike both hands on clean ground.
◈ Wipe both hands and the face.
Hadith:
Sayyidina Ammar (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
“The Prophet ﷺ said: ‘It was sufficient for you to do this.’
Then the Prophet ﷺ struck both hands on the earth, blew on them, and wiped his face and both hands with them.”
Another narration:
“He ﷺ said: ‘It was sufficient for you to do this.’
Then he struck his hands on the earth, blew on them, wiped his hands, and then wiped his face.”
Repeating the Prayer After Finding Water
Sayyidina Abu Sa’id (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
“Two men performed tayammum and prayed. Later water was found while the time of the prayer remained. One repeated the prayer, and the other did not.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: ‘The one who did not repeat the prayer acted in accordance with the Sunnah, and the one who repeated it has a greater reward.'”
Cautions
﴿فَتَیَمَّمُوْا صَعِیْداً طَیِّبًا﴾
According to this, tayammum is permissible only with clean earth.
◈ Tayammum is permissible with saline soil and sand as well.
◈ One tayammum may be used to perform several prayers, just as one wudu is used.
◈ Whatever nullifies wudu also nullifies tayammum.
◈ If water is found after the prayer, it is recommended (mustahabb), not obligatory, to perform wudu and repeat the prayer.
