Tayammum

History behind Tayammum (dry ablution) in islam ~ Mufti Menk

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• published: 25 Jun 2015
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When to Make Tayammum One is permitted to make Tayammum in any of the following cases: 1- If one cannot find water or the amount one finds is insufficient for ablution 'Imraan Ibn Husayn may Allaah be pleased with him said: "We were with the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) during a journey. When he led the people in prayer, one man stayed apart. He sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) asked him: "What prevented you from praying?" He replied: 'I need a ritual bath (because of having a wet dream) and there is no water.' The Messenger sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said: 'Use the soil, for it is sufficient (i.e. Tayammum).''' [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim] 2- If one is injured or ill If one is in this condition and thinks that using water will worsen it (he does not have to be absolutely sure, but may base his assumption on past experience or what a knowledgeable person has told him), he may perform Tayammum. Jaabir may Allaah be pleased with him said, "We were on a journey and one of us was injured. Later, he had a wet dream. He asked his companions, 'Can I perform Tayammum?' They said, 'No, not if you have water.' He performed Ghusl, which caused him to die. When news of this came to the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) he said: "They killed him! May Allaah kill them! Do you not ask if you do not know? The remedy for ignorance is to ask. He could have performed Tayammum and not dropped water on his wound, or wrapped it with something, then wiped over the wrapping, and then washed the rest of his body."" 3- If water is cold enough to physically harm the user Tayammum is allowed when water is available but is too cold and cannot be heated, or there is no public bathroom available. 'Amr Ibn Al-'Aas may Allaah be pleased with him narrated that he was once participating in a military expedition. He had a wet dream during an extremely cold night, and was afraid that if he performed Ghusl he would die. He prayed the morning (Fajr) prayer with his companions. He then went to the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) to ask him about this. The Messenger sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said: "O 'Amr! Did you pray with your companions while you needed a ritual bath?" 'Amr said to the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) the verse (which means): "…Do not kill yourselves [or one another]. Indeed, Allaah is to you ever Merciful." [Quran 4:29] The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) smiled at this and did not say anything. [Al-Bukhaari] 4- If water is nearby, but one cannot fetch it due to fear If one fears for his life, family, wealth, [for example, if an enemy (beast or human) is nearby or if one is a prisoner, and so on], he may perform Tayammum. This is also allowed if there is water but one lacks the proper means to get it, or if one fears some accusation against him if he gets it. 5- If one is saving his water for later use This could be for dough, cooking, or to remove an impurity that is not pardonable. Imaam Ahmad may Allaah have mercy upon him said: "Many of the Companions performed Tayammum to save their water for drinking." 'Ali may Allaah be pleased with him said: "A man who is travelling and becomes unclean because of sexual intercourse, or a wet dream, can perform Tayammum if he fears he will go thirsty. He should perform Tayammum and not Ghusl." [Ad-Daaraqutni] 6- If one can get water, but fears that the prayer will be over by the time he gets it He can perform Tayammum and pray, and does not need to repeat his prayer (after he gets water). The Soil Used for Tayammum It must be pure soil: this can be sand, stone, gypsum, and so on. Allaah Almighty Says in the Quran (what means): "…Perform Tayammum with pure soil..." [Quran 5:6] and all scholars of the Arabic language agree that 'soil' (in Arabic) is whatever covers the earth, dirt or otherwise.