When is tayammum allowed, and how is it done?
The question as asked, details removedIf there is no water, how do I perform tayammum, and when is it allowed?More
This is a sample answer written to show how the site works. It follows the standard Hanafi books, but no mufti has reviewed or signed it yet, so it is not a fatwa. For a real answer, ask a question. Ask a mufti
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ اَلْجَوَابُ بِعَوْنِ الْمَلِكِ الْوَهَّابِ اَللّٰهُمَّ هِدَايَةَ الْحَقِّ وَالصَّوَابِ
1Short answer
Tayammum is allowed when water is about a mile or more away, or when using water would cause illness or make it worse. Make the intention, strike clean earth with both hands and wipe the face, then strike again and wipe both arms including the elbows.
2Detailed answer
Tayammum takes the place of wudu or ghusl when:
- Water is not available within about one Shar'i mile, or
- Using water would cause illness, worsen it, or delay recovery, according to a reliable doctor or one's own experience, or
- Getting to the water is dangerous, for example because of an enemy or a wild animal.
How to do it:
- Make the intention of tayammum for purification.
- Strike both hands on clean earth (soil, sand, stone or anything of the earth's kind), shake off the excess, and wipe the whole face.
- Strike again and wipe both arms, including the elbows.
Tayammum breaks with whatever breaks wudu, and also as soon as one is able to use water.
3Evidence and sources
- Qur'an, An-Nisa 4:43
- Al-Hidayah, chapter on tayammum
- Bahar-e-Shariat, chapter on tayammum
Arabic texts, translations and how the ruling was derived
فلم تجدوا ماء فتيمموا صعيدا طيبا فامسحوا بوجوهكم وأيديكم
Meaning: And you find no water, then seek clean earth and wipe your faces and your hands.
The verse allows tayammum when there is no water and names its two parts, the face and the hands. The Hanafi scholars take the arms up to the elbows from the narrations describing two strikes, one for the face and one for the arms.
وَاللهُ أَعْلَمُ عَزَّوَجَلَّ وَرَسُوْلُهُ أَعْلَمُ صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ