How to Perform Tayammum

Originally posted 2024-03-17 11:03:32.

Rubbing hands together before rubbing the face.

There is a consensus that tayammum forms a legitimate part of the Shari`ah as it replaces ablution with water or ghusl.

Tayammum (Dry Ablution) in Islam

Definition

In Arabic, the word tayammum (dry ablution) literally means aim or purpose. In Islamic law, it refers to:

“Aiming for or seeking clean earth to wipe one’s face and hands with the intention of purification and preparing oneself for prayer and other acts of worship.”

Proof of Its Legitimacy

Tayammum is firmly established through the Qur’an, the Sunnah (Prophetic tradition), and Ijmaʿ (scholarly consensus):

From the Qur’an:

“…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, Allah is ever Pardoning and Forgiving.”
(An-Nisaa’ 4:43)

From the Sunnah:
Abu Umamah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) 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)

By Scholarly Consensus (Ijmaʿ):
There is unanimous agreement among scholars that tayammum is a legitimate substitute for ablution (wuduʾ) or ritual bathing (ghusl) under specific conditions.

A Blessing from Allah

Tayammum is considered a mercy and blessing from Allah to this nation. Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“I have been given five things that were not given to anyone before me: I have been made victorious by fear (cast into the hearts of enemies) from a month’s distance; the earth has been made a place of prayer and a means of purification for me — so wherever and whenever a member of my nation wishes to pray, he may do so; the spoils of war have been made lawful for me, which were not lawful to anyone before me; I have been granted intercession; and every Prophet was sent to his people only, whereas I have been sent to all of mankind.”
(Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

When Tayammum Is Permissible

One is permitted to perform tayammum under the following circumstances:

1. Lack of Water or Insufficient Quantity

If one cannot find water, or has only a small amount insufficient for ablution.

`Imran ibn Husayn (may Allah be pleased with him) said:

“We were with the Messenger of Allah on a journey. When he led the people in prayer, one man stayed aside. The Prophet (peace be upon him) asked, ‘What prevented you from praying?’ He replied, ‘I needed a ritual bath due to a wet dream, and there was no water.’ The Prophet said: ‘Use the soil, for it is sufficient.’”
(Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

2. Illness or Injury

If a person is ill or injured and fears that using water will worsen his condition, tayammum is allowed — even if the harm is not certain but reasonably assumed based on experience or advice.

Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:

“We were on a journey and one of us was injured. Later, he had a wet dream and asked, ‘Can I perform tayammum?’ They said, ‘No, not if water is available.’ He performed ghusl and died. When this reached the Prophet, he said: ‘They killed him! May Allah kill them! Why didn’t they ask if they didn’t know? The cure for ignorance is asking. He could have performed tayammum and avoided pouring water on his wound, or wrapped it and wiped over the bandage, then washed the rest of his body.’”

3. Extremely Cold Water

If water is too cold and cannot be heated — and using it could harm the person — tayammum is allowed.

`Amr ibn Al-ʿAas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:

During a military expedition, he had a wet dream on a freezing night. Fearing that ghusl would endanger his life, he performed tayammum and led the prayer. He later told the Prophet (peace be upon him), quoting the verse:
“Do not kill yourselves. Indeed, Allah is ever Merciful to you.”
(An-Nisaa’ 4:29)
The Prophet (peace be upon him) smiled and did not object.
(Al-Bukhari)

4. Fear for Life, Safety, or Property

If one fears danger from animals, enemies, or is imprisoned, and cannot safely reach water — or risks false accusations — tayammum is allowed.

5. Saving Water for Essential Needs

If the available water is needed for drinking, food preparation, or removing a major impurity, tayammum is permissible.

Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

“Many of the Companions performed tayammum in order to save water for drinking.”

ʿAli (may Allah be pleased with him) said:

“If a man is traveling and becomes sexually impure, and fears thirst, he may perform tayammum instead of ghusl.”
(Ad-Daraqutni)

6. Short Time Left for Prayer

If one fears the prayer time will end before reaching water, they may perform tayammum and pray. They are not required to repeat the prayer later.

What Soil Can Be Used

The soil must be pure — this includes clean earth, sand, rock, gypsum, etc.
Allah says:

“…Perform tayammum with clean earth…”
(Al-Ma’idah 5:6)

Linguistically, the Arabic word for soil encompasses anything covering the ground, not just dirt.