Tayammum — Dry Ablution

Tayammum is the Islamic provision for ritual purification using clean earth or dust when water is unavailable or when its use would cause harm. It is a mercy from Allah, demonstrating that Islam is a practical religion that does not impose undue hardship. Allah says: "And if you are ill or on a journey, or one of you comes from the toilet, or you have been in contact with women, and you do not find water, then seek clean earth and wipe over your faces and hands" (Quran 4:43).

When Tayammum Is Permitted

Tayammum is permitted in several situations: when water is completely unavailable despite reasonable effort to find it; when the available water is needed for drinking and survival; when using water would worsen an illness or delay recovery, as confirmed by a physician or from personal experience; when the water is extremely cold and there is no way to heat it and using it would cause harm; and when there is danger in reaching the water source (predators, enemies, etc.). The Hanafi school also permits tayammum when one fears missing the Eid prayer or funeral prayer if they wait to find water.

The Method

The method of tayammum is simple. The person strikes their hands once on clean earth (the Shafi'i and Hanbali schools require two strikes: one for the face and one for the arms). Then they wipe their face with the inner part of their fingers and their hands and forearms with each other. The Prophet (peace be upon him) demonstrated: "He struck the earth with his hands, blew on them, then wiped his face and his hands" (Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim). The Hanafi and Maliki schools require wiping the arms to the elbows; the Shafi'i and Hanbali schools require only the hands to the wrists based on different hadith evidence.

What Can Be Used

The scholars agree that clean, natural earth or soil is valid. The Hanafi school is the broadest, allowing any natural substance from the earth (stone, sand, clay, limestone, even walls made from natural materials). The Shafi'i school requires that the surface have visible dust or earth particles. The Hanbali school requires pure soil that produces dust. All schools agree that the material must be clean (tahir) and free of impurities.

Invalidation and Rulings

Tayammum is invalidated by everything that invalidates wudu, plus the availability of water (for one who performed tayammum due to water's absence) and the removal of the excuse (such as recovery from illness). The majority of scholars hold that tayammum only permits one obligatory prayer, and a new tayammum is needed for the next prayer. The Hanafi school allows multiple prayers with one tayammum as long as the tayammum itself is not broken. Tayammum replaces both wudu and ghusl when the need arises, making it a comprehensive concession that preserves the Muslim's ability to worship under all circumstances.