Source: Fatāwā Arkān-e-Islām
When a sick person does not have soil available, can he perform tayammum on a wall or floor?
Tayammum is only valid on surfaces that are either made from the earth’s material (soil, stone, sand, brick) or have dust from them. If no such substance or dust is present, tayammum is invalid.
والله أعلم بالصواب
Question:
When a sick person does not have soil available, can he perform tayammum on a wall or floor?
Answer:
1. Tayammum on a Wall
- If the wall is made of pure soil, it is permissible to perform tayammum on it.
- Even if the soil is in the form of stone or brick, tayammum is valid.
- If the wall is covered with wood or tiles, and dust has accumulated on it, tayammum is also permissible — because dust is of the same substance as soil, and in this case, tayammum is just like performing it on the ground.
2. Tayammum on a Floor
- If dust is present on the floor, tayammum can be performed.
- If the floor is clean and without dust, tayammum is not valid — because it is no longer considered part of the category of soil.
Important Principle:
Tayammum is only valid on surfaces that are either made from the earth’s material (soil, stone, sand, brick) or have dust from them. If no such substance or dust is present, tayammum is invalid.
والله أعلم بالصواب
