In Arabic, the word Tayammum literally means an 'aim' or 'purpose.' In
Islamic Law, it refersto: 'Aiming for or seeking soil to wipe one's
face and hands with the intention of purification and preparing
oneself to pray, and so on."
Proof of its Legitimacy
This act of ritual cleansing is proven by the Quran, Sunnah (prophetic
tradition) and Ijmaa' (consensus of Muslim scholars). The Quran says
(what means): "…And if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes
from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women [i.e.,
had sexual intercourse] and find no water, then seek clean earth and
wipe over your faces and your hands [with it]. Indeed, Allaah is ever
Pardoning and Forgiving." [Quran 4:43]
From the Sunnah, we have the Hadeeth (prophetic statement) related by
Abu Umaamah in which the Prophet said: "All of the earth has been made
a pure place of prayer for me and my nation. Whenever a person from my
nation wants to pray, hehas something with which to purify himself,
that is, the earth." [Ahmad]
Finally, there is a consensus that Tayammum forms a legitimate part of
the Sharee'ah (Islamic Law), as it replaces ablution with water or
Ghusl (ritual bathing), under specific circumstances.
A Blessing from Allaah
This form of ablution is viewed asa blessing from Allaah to the
Muslims. Jaabir related that the Prophet said: "I have beengiven five
things that were not given to anyone before me: I havebeen made
victorious due to fear of a distance of one month's journey; the earth
has been madea place of prayer for me and a source of purification -
wherever and whenever any member of mynation wants to pray, he may
pray; and the war booty has beenmade lawful to me, and this was not
lawful to anyone before me. Ihave been given permission to intercede.
Prophets before me used to be sent to their own people only, but I
have been sent to all of mankind." [Al-Bukhaari &Muslim]
When to Make Tayammum
One is permitted to make Tayammum in any of the following cases:
1- If one cannot find water or theamount one finds is insufficient for ablution
'Imraan Ibn Husayn said: "Wewere with the Messenger of Allaah during a
journey. Whenhe led the people in prayer, one man stayed apart. He
asked him: "What prevented you from praying?" He replied: 'I need a
ritual bath (because of having a wet dream) and there is no water.'
The Messenger said: 'Use the soil, for it is sufficient (i.e.
Tayammum).''' [Al-Bukhaari &Muslim]
2- If one is injured or ill
If one is in this condition and thinks that using water will worsen it
(he does not have to beabsolutely sure, but may base his assumption on
past experience or what a knowledgeable person has told him), he may
perform Tayammum.
Jaabir said, "We were on a journey and one of us was injured. Later,
he had a wet dream. He asked his companions,'Can I perform Tayammum?'
Theysaid, 'No, not if you have water.' He performed Ghusl, which
caused him to die. When news of this came to the Messenger of Allaah
he said: "They killed him! May Allaah kill them! Do you not ask if you
do not know? The remedy for ignorance is to ask. He could have
performed Tayammum and not dropped water on his wound, or wrapped it
with something, then wiped over the wrapping, and then washed the rest
of his body.""
3- If water is cold enough to physically harm the user
Tayammum is allowed when water is available but is too cold and cannot
be heated, or there is no public bathroom available. 'Amr Ibn Al-'Aas
narrated that he was once participating in a military expedition. He
had a wet dream during an extremely cold night, and was afraid that if
he performed Ghusl he would die. He prayed the morning (Fajr) prayer
with his companions. He then went to the Messenger of Allaah to ask
him about this. The Messenger said: "O 'Amr! Did you pray with your
companions while you needed a ritual bath?" 'Amr said to the Prophet
the verse (which means): "…Do not kill yourselves [or one another].
Indeed, Allaah is to you ever Merciful." [Quran 4:29] The Prophet
smiled at this and did not say anything. [Al-Bukhaari]
4- If water is nearby, but one cannot fetch it due to fear
If one fears for his life, family, wealth, [for example, if an
enemy(beast or human) is nearby or if one is a prisoner, and so on],
he may perform Tayammum. This is also allowed if there is water but
one lacks the proper means to get it, or if one fears some accusation
against him if he gets it.
5- If one is saving his water for later use
This could be for dough, cooking,or to remove an impurity that is not
pardonable. Imaam Ahmad said: "Many of the Companions performed
Tayammum to save their water for drinking." 'Ali said: "A man who is
travelling and becomes unclean because of sexual intercourse, or a wet
dream, can perform Tayammum if he fears he will go thirsty. He should
perform Tayammum and not Ghusl." [Ad-Daaraqutni]
6- If one can get water, but fears that the prayer will be over by the
time he gets it
He can perform Tayammum and pray, and does not need to repeat his
prayer (after he gets water).
The Soil Used for Tayammum
It must be pure soil: this can be sand, stone, gypsum, and so on.
Allaah Almighty Says in the Quran (what means): "…Perform Tayammum
with pure soil..." [Quran 5:6] and all scholars of theArabic language
agree that 'soil' (in Arabic) is whatever covers the earth, dirt or
otherwise.
How to Perform Tayammum
First, one must have the intention to perform ablution and purifying
himself, then he mentions Allaah's name, strikes the soil with his
hands, and wipes his face and hands up to the wrist, starting with the
right hand. Nothing is more authentic and clear than what 'Ammaar
related. He said: "I once became sexually impure and had no water, so
I rolled in the dirt and prayed. This was mentioned to the Prophet who
said: "This would have been enough for you," and he struck the earth
with his hands, blew in them andthen wiped his face and hands with
them." [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim]
This Hadeeth shows that one strike of the earth is sufficient, and one
only wipes the arms to the wrists. It is an act of Sunnah that one who
makes Tayammum with dirt should blow into his hands first and not make
his face dusty or dirty.
What Tayammum Makes Permissible
After performing Tayammum, one is pure and may perform any of the acts
requiring prior ritual purification, such as praying and touching the
Quran. He does not have to perform it during the time of prayer, and
he may pray as many prayers as he wishes (unless he nullifies it),
exactly as it is the case with regular ablution. Abu Tharr reported
that the Prophet said: "The soil is a purifier for a Muslim, even if
he does not find water forten years. Then, if he finds water, that is,
to make ablution, and so on, it becomes incumbent upon him to use it."
[Ahmad & At-Tirmithi]
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