TAYYAMUM IN ISLAM

In Arabic, the word Tayammum literally
means an 'aim' or 'purpose.' In Islamic
Law, it refers to: '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, he has 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 as a blessing from Allaah to the Muslims. Jaabir
related that the Prophet said: "I have been given five things that were
not given to anyone before me: I have been made victorious due to fear of a
distance of one month's journey; the earth has been made a place of prayer for me
and a source of purification - wherever and whenever any member of my nation
wants to pray, he may pray; and the war booty has been made lawful to me, and
this was not lawful to anyone before me. I have 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 the amount one finds is insufficient for ablution
'Imraan Ibn Husayn said: "We were with the Messenger of Allaah during
a journey. When he 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 be absolutely 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?' They said, '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 the Arabic 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 and then 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 for ten 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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Source: Fiqh Us-Sunnah, Volume 1
By: Sayyid Saabiq