At-Tayammum (Ablution Using The Earth)

'At- Tayammum" is a means of using the soil to wipe one's face and hands with the intention of preparing oneself to perform prayer. 

Proof of its legitimacy is found in the Holy Qur'an as follows:

"... And if ye are ill, or on a journey, or one of you cometh from offices of nature, or ye have been in contact with women, and ye find no water, then take for yourselves clean sand or earth, and rub therewith your faces and hands, for Allah does blot out sins and forgives again and again." (Qur'an 4:43)

The Prophet Salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam also said:

"All of the earth has been made a pure  place of prayer for me and and my "Ummah" (Nation). Whenever a person from my nation wants to pray, he has something with which to purify himself... that is the earth." (Reported by Imam Ahmad)

Instances When At-Tayammum is permitted 

At-Tayammum is permitted only on specific instances as follows:

1. 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 to look for water earnestly from any possible source.

2. When a person is injured or ill and believes that the use of water will worsen his/her condition, then, At-Tayammum is allowed.

3. 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.

4. 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 maybe performed.

5. 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.

The Earth (Soil) To Be Used For At-Tayammum

This should be pure earth or soil and can be sand, stone or gypsum which produce dust when hit with the hands.

How To Perform At-Tayammum

1. The person should first intend by heart to perform At-Tayammum.

2. The person then strike the soil with the palm of both hands.

3. The person then wipes the face does using both palms.

4. Thereafter, the person uses the left palm to wipe over the back of the right hand up to the wrist, and then, uses the right palm to wipe over the back of the left hand up to the wrist.

Notes

1. If any dust clings to the hands upon striking the earth, it should be blown out first before wiping the face and the hands to avoid the dust.

2. Only one strike on the earth is sufficient for wiping both the face and hands.

3. For persons who are required to perform Ghusl, but are unable to find water, then, At-Tayammum as discussed would suffice.

Matters Which Nullify At-Tayammum

Purification by At-Tayammum has the same validity as Wudhu and Ghusl performed with water, but becomes invalidated in the following cases:

1. All actions and conditions that nullify Wudhu also nullify At-Tayammum.

2. If after performing At-Tayammum , water is found for Wudhu or Ghusl.