Narrated 'Aisha: (the wife of the Prophet) We set out with Allahs Apostle on one of his journeys till we reached Al-Baida' or Dhatul-Jaish, a necklace of mine was broken (and lost). Allah's Apostle stayed there to search for it, and so did the people along with him. There was no water at that place, so the people went to Abu- Bakr As-Siddiq and said, "Don't you see what 'Aisha has done? She has made Allah's Apostle and the people stay where there is no water and they have no water with them." Abu Bakr came while Allah's Apostle was sleeping with his head on my thigh, He said, to me: "You have detained Allah's Apostle and the people where there is no water and they have no water with them.

So he admonished me and said what Allah wished him to say and hit me on my flank with his hand. Nothing prevented me from moving (because of pain) but the position of Allah's Apostle on my thigh. Allah's Apostle got up when dawn broke and there was no water. So Allah revealed the Divine Verses of Tayammum. So they all performed Tayammum. Usaid bin Hudair said, "O the family of Abu Bakr! This is not the first blessing of yours." Then the camel on which I was riding was caused to move from its place and the necklace was found beneath it.

Tayammum (or 'dry ablution') is a method of cleansing oneself using clean sand. It serves as a replacement for both Wudu (partial ablution) and Ghusl (complete ablution) but only under special circumstances. The Holy Quran says:
"And if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself (or herself) or you have contacted women (or men i.e. had sexual intercourse) and find no water, then seek clean earth and wipe over your faces and your hands (with it)." Al Quran, [4:43]

In circumstances were water cannot be found, or there is only just enough for drinking, or if water is injurious to health, in such circumstances one can perform Tayammum (dry ablution ).

Allah says: O you who believe! When you intend to offer As-Salat (the prayer), wash your faces and your hands (forearms) up to the elbows, rub (by passing wet hands over) your heads, and (wash) your feet up to ankles . If you are in a state of Janaba (i.e. had a sexual discharge), purify yourself (bathe your whole body). But if you are ill or on a journey or any of you comes from answering the call of nature, or you have been in contact with women (i.e. sexual intercourse) and you find no water, then perform Tayammum with clean earth and rub therewith your faces and hands. Allah does not want to place you in difficulty, but He wants to purify you, and to complete His Favour on you that you may be thankful. (Quran 5:6)

The Messenger of Allah (saws) said:

"I have been given five things which no one before me has been given: ... (and he mentioned) The earth has been made for me a place of worship and ceremonially pure, so that when the time of prayer comes any man may pray." [Agreed Upon]

In another narration by Hudhaifah (ra):

"And its earth has been appointed for us as a means of cleansing when we do not find water." [Muslim].

In another hadeeth reported by 'Ali (ra):

" The earth has been made for me as a means of cleansing." [Ahmad].

Instances when At-Tayammum is Permitted

At-Tayammum is permitted only in specific instances as follows:
Where the person cannot find water or the amount of water is not sufficient for Wudhu. However, before performing AT-Tayammum, the person is required tol ook for water earnestly from any possible source.
When a person is injured or ill and believes that the use of water will worsen his/her condition, then, At-Tayammum is allowed.
When water is too cold such that it may harm the person, At-Tayammum is allowed if the user cannot find means of heating the water.
When water is nearby, but the person is not able to fetch it due to fear for his/her life, family and wealth, (e.g. from an enemy either beast or human in the vicinity) then, At-Tayammum may be performed.
When there is not enough water and one is forced to save what is available for drinking and/or cooking, then, At-Tayammum is allowed.

How to Perform At-Tayammum

At-Tayammum is the action of wiping ones hands and face with pure soil. The Sunnah is to hit both hands on the soil then wipe over the face, as reported in the following hadeeth of 'Ammar bin Yaasir (ra) who said (in the meaning):

" The Prophet (pbuh) sent me on some errand, I had a wet dream and I did not find water (to get washed). Therefore, I rolled myself on the ground just as an animal does. When I came back to the Prophet (pbuh) and mentioned that to him. He said (in the meaning): "It would have been enough for you to do with your hands thus." He (pbuh) then struck the ground with his hands once, then wiped the right hand with the left one, the outside of the palms of his hands and his face." [Agreed upon]. The sequence of wiping the hands first or the face first is not an essential issue. This means that whichever is started with, will be sufficient as other hadeeths reported the starting with the face then the hands next as is the case in the following hadeeth: "...And he (pbuh) struck the ground with the palms of his hands, blew into them, then wiped his face and the palms of his hands with them." [Bukhari].

The most authentic practice and that is also a matter of agreement between the majority of scholars is, once is enough. Which is also the Sunnah, for this is what the Prophet (pbuh) did and taught 'Ammar bin Yaasir (ra).

This hadith shows that one strike of the earth is sufficient, and one only wipes the arms to the wrists. It is from the sunnah that one who makes tayammum with dirt should blow into his hands first and not make his face dusty or dirty.


With what can one make tayammum:

Allah (swt) said in Al-Qur'an (in the meaning):

"...And you find no water, then perform tayammum with clean soil and rub your faces and your hands therewith." [4:43].

Most scholars agree that the 'clean soil' here refers to at-Turaab (dust of the earth). They say, tayammum can only be made with at-Turaab. That means, we can't make tayammum with something that doesn't have dust, such as the inside wall of a house and so on.

Matters which Invalidate the Wudhu

The person will remain in a state of Wudhu until any of the following matters is committed:

(1) Anything coming out of the Anus or penis/vagina such as urine, feaces or gas etc.
(2) A person falling sound Sleep
(3) Becoming Unconscious - insanity or fainting or intoxication
(4) Touching the Uncovered Private Parts
(5) Touching a Woman which leads to prostatic fluid or semen being emitted. A man can touch, kiss and hug his wife and his wudhu will still be valid. It will only break if these actions lead to the emmision of prostatic fluid or semen.