This article is adapted from the book “Namaz-e-Mustafa ﷺ” authored by respected Abu Hamza Abdul Khaliq Siddiqi.
Allah Almighty says:
فَلَمْ تَجِدُوا مَاءً فَتَيَمَّمُوا صَعِيدًا طَيِّبًا فَامْسَحُوا بِوُجُوهِكُمْ وَأَيْدِيكُم مِّنْهُ (المائدة : 6)
"And if you do not find water, then perform Tayammum with clean earth, and wipe your faces and hands with it."
At that time, Allah ﷻ revealed the verse to ease the hardship:
وَإِن كُنتُم مَّرْضَىٰ أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ أَوْ جَاءَ أَحَدٌ مِّنكُم مِّنَ الْغَائِطِ أَوْ لَامَسْتُمُ النِّسَاءَ فَلَمْ تَجِدُوا مَاءً فَتَيَمَّمُوا صَعِيدًا طَيِّبًا فَامْسَحُوا بِوُجُوهِكُمْ وَأَيْدِيكُمْ ۗ (النساء: 43)
"And if you are ill, or on a journey, or one of you comes after answering the call of nature, or you have touched women, and you find no water—then perform Tayammum with clean earth and wipe your faces and hands."
(Sahih Bukhari, Book of Tayammum, Hadith: 334 & Tafsir Book, Hadith: 4583; Sunan An-Nasa'i: 314; Sahih Abu Dawood: 337)
One should strike both hands on clean earth, then wipe them over the face and both palms.
Sayyiduna Ammar (رضي الله عنه) reported:
The Prophet ﷺ sent me on an expedition and I became Junub but did not find water. I rolled on the ground like an animal to purify myself. When I narrated this to the Prophet ﷺ, he said:
"It would have been sufficient for you to do like this."
The Prophet ﷺ then struck his hands on the ground once, blew into them, and wiped over his face and palms.
(Sahih Bukhari, Book of Tayammum, Hadith: 338; Sahih Muslim, Book of Menstruation, Chapter on Tayammum, Hadith: 368)
فَتَيَمَّمُوا صَعِيدًا طَيِّبًا (النساء : 43)
② Multiple prayers may be performed with one Tayammum, just as with Wudu, as established authentically from the Prophet ﷺ.
(Sunan Abu Dawood, Book of Purification, Hadith: 162)
③ Tayammum is valid on dusty surfaces like sandy ground or dry walls with dust, under the principle:
فَاتَّقُوا اللهَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ (التغابن: 16)
"So fear Allah as much as you are able."
④ Tayammum is nullified by anything that nullifies Wudu, and if water is found after prayer, there is no need to repeat the prayer. However, repeating it earns double reward.
(Sunan Abu Dawood, Book of Purification, Hadith: 338)
✦ The Concept of Tayammum
As a part of ease in religious obligations, Allah ﷻ has allowed Tayammum—purification with clean earth—for those who do not find water or fear harm from using it.Allah Almighty says:
فَلَمْ تَجِدُوا مَاءً فَتَيَمَّمُوا صَعِيدًا طَيِّبًا فَامْسَحُوا بِوُجُوهِكُمْ وَأَيْدِيكُم مِّنْهُ (المائدة : 6)
"And if you do not find water, then perform Tayammum with clean earth, and wipe your faces and hands with it."
◈ Background of the Legislation of Tayammum
It is narrated from Sayyidah Aisha (رضي الله عنها) that while returning from the battle of Banu Mustaliq, her necklace fell and was lost during the journey. The Prophet ﷺ stopped the caravan to search for it. Morning approached, and people had no water for ablution. They complained to Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه), blaming his daughter for the inconvenience and delay in prayer. Abu Bakr also scolded Aisha.At that time, Allah ﷻ revealed the verse to ease the hardship:
وَإِن كُنتُم مَّرْضَىٰ أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ أَوْ جَاءَ أَحَدٌ مِّنكُم مِّنَ الْغَائِطِ أَوْ لَامَسْتُمُ النِّسَاءَ فَلَمْ تَجِدُوا مَاءً فَتَيَمَّمُوا صَعِيدًا طَيِّبًا فَامْسَحُوا بِوُجُوهِكُمْ وَأَيْدِيكُمْ ۗ (النساء: 43)
"And if you are ill, or on a journey, or one of you comes after answering the call of nature, or you have touched women, and you find no water—then perform Tayammum with clean earth and wipe your faces and hands."
(Sahih Bukhari, Book of Tayammum, Hadith: 334 & Tafsir Book, Hadith: 4583; Sunan An-Nasa'i: 314; Sahih Abu Dawood: 337)
◈ Sunnah Method of Performing Tayammum
The Sunnah method of Tayammum is:One should strike both hands on clean earth, then wipe them over the face and both palms.
Sayyiduna Ammar (رضي الله عنه) reported:
The Prophet ﷺ sent me on an expedition and I became Junub but did not find water. I rolled on the ground like an animal to purify myself. When I narrated this to the Prophet ﷺ, he said:
"It would have been sufficient for you to do like this."
The Prophet ﷺ then struck his hands on the ground once, blew into them, and wiped over his face and palms.
(Sahih Bukhari, Book of Tayammum, Hadith: 338; Sahih Muslim, Book of Menstruation, Chapter on Tayammum, Hadith: 368)
◈ Important Rulings Related to Tayammum
① Tayammum must be performed with clean earth.فَتَيَمَّمُوا صَعِيدًا طَيِّبًا (النساء : 43)
② Multiple prayers may be performed with one Tayammum, just as with Wudu, as established authentically from the Prophet ﷺ.
(Sunan Abu Dawood, Book of Purification, Hadith: 162)
③ Tayammum is valid on dusty surfaces like sandy ground or dry walls with dust, under the principle:
فَاتَّقُوا اللهَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ (التغابن: 16)
"So fear Allah as much as you are able."
④ Tayammum is nullified by anything that nullifies Wudu, and if water is found after prayer, there is no need to repeat the prayer. However, repeating it earns double reward.
(Sunan Abu Dawood, Book of Purification, Hadith: 338)
