Tayammum is a form of Tahara and a part of Islamic worship practices. It serves as a makeshift for Wudu when water is unavailable or its use could be harmful, such as due to health issues. In these situations, we can use earth dust instead of water.
Tayammum involves striking a clean, natural surface like earth, stones, or walls, and wiping your face and hands to maintain purity for prayer. This practice, as highlighted in the Quran, ensures Muslims can fulfill their prayer obligations in any situation, making it a flexible and accessible way to stay spiritually ready when water is out of reach.
In this article, we will discuss the importance of Tayammum, How to make Tayammum, and when Tayammum is permissible.
Table of Contents
What is Tayammum?
Tayammum or dry ablution is an alternative way to do Wudu if you can’t find any water at all to perform Wudu with. Tayammum is usually done by using earth dust instead of water, that’s why we call it dry ablution.
Tayammum is a blessing from Allah, designed to make it easier for Muslims to maintain a state of Tahara, regardless of location or health conditions, ensuring they are always ready to fulfill their prayer obligations.
Tayammum in Quran
Tayammum was mentioned in The Holy Quran several times to highlight the importance of adhering to the timing of Salah and to give options for Tahara.
﴿ ۚ وَإِن كُنتُم مَّرْضَىٰ أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ أَوْ جَاءَ أَحَدٌ مِّنكُم مِّنَ الْغَائِطِ أَوْ لَامَسْتُمُ النِّسَاءَ فَلَمْ تَجِدُوا مَاءً فَتَيَمَّمُوا صَعِيدًا طَيِّبًا فَامْسَحُوا بِوُجُوهِكُمْ وَأَيْدِيكُم مِّنْهُ ۚ مَا يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ لِيَجْعَلَ عَلَيْكُم مِّنْ حَرَجٍ وَلَٰكِن يُرِيدُ لِيُطَهِّرَكُمْ وَلِيُتِمَّ نِعْمَتَهُ عَلَيْكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ ﴾
( 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 so that you may be thankful. )
[ Al-Ma’idah: 6 ]
Read more about: Benefits of Wudu
What Are The Conditions of Tayammum?
Wudu is the rule, but Tayammum is the exception. In order for Tayammum to be permissible some conditions have to be met.
Let’s explain the major conditions in which Tayammum is permissible:
1. Tayammum When Water is Inaccessible for Wudu
Tayammum is permitted only when Wudu water is genuinely inaccessible. This includes thoroughly searching the surrounding area and asking others if they can provide water.
2. Tayammum if Water Can Cause Health Issues
Tayammum is allowed if using water would harm due to illness or wounds, as advised by medical professionals.
3. No Tayammum Before Salah Time
Tayammum is allowed if using water would harm due to sickness or wounds, as advised by medical professionals.
Read more about What Does the Quran Say About Prayer?
4. Tayammum Using Earth Dust
One of the blessings for the Muslim Ummah is that the earth is pure and can be used both as a place of prayer and for Tayammum. As Prophet Mohammad ( Peace be upon him ) said:
“The earth has been made for me (and my followers) a place for praying and something with which to perform Tayammum (to purify oneself for prayer). Therefore, anyone (of my followers) can pray (anywhere) and at any time that the Salat (prayer) is due.”
So we can use earth dust for Tayammum if it meets the following conditions:
Conditions for Using Dust in Tayammum:
- The dust must be pure and free from any mixtures or liquids.
- The same dust cannot be reused for Tayammum, similar to how water used for Wudu cannot be reused.
- Dust must adhere to the hands. If it does not stick to your hands, it is not suitable for Tayammum.
How to do Tayammum?
The steps of Tayammum are simple, If in your condition the Tayammum is permissible then all you need to do is to search for some dust and follow the next steps:
1. Start Tayammum with Saying Bismillah
It is Sunnah that you can start your Tayammum with The Basmalah. This is the same case for Wudu and almost any action we Muslims do.
2. Specificity of Niyyah in Tayammum
When performing Tayammum, your Niyyah (intention) must be specific to the act of worship you are about to undertake. For example, if you perform Tayammum with the intention to pray, it only covers that particular prayer. You cannot use the same Tayammum for other acts like Tawaf around the Kaaba or leading the Friday prayer (Khutbah).
3. Strike with Both Hands for Tayammum
First, find a clean surface that collects dust, like a wall, floor, or rock.
Second, strike the surface with both hands, ensuring any rings are removed so the dust covers your entire hands.
4. Rub Your Face with Your Hands for Tayammum
The right order in Tayammum is to start by rubbing the whole face first after you strike your hands with dust and dust off the excess.
5. Rub Your Hands up to The Elbows for Tayammum
The second strike to the dust is for rubbing the hands up to the elbows
This whole process is following the Sunnah of Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) When he said:
“Tayammum consists of two strikes: with one, he wipes his face, and with the other, he wipes his hands up to the elbows.”
The Du’a After Tayammum
It is Sunnah to end Wudu and Tayammum with Du’a.
Here is an example of what Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) used to say after Wudu and Tayammum:
أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وأشهد أن محمد عبده ورسوله
اللهم أجعلني من التوابين واجعلني من المتطهرين
I bear witness that there is no God but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is his servant and messenger.
O Allah, please make me from those who repent and those who are cleaned.
Ash-hadu Anna La ilaaha illa Allah, wa Ash-hadu Anna Muhammed Aabdu-hu wa Rasulo-hu
Allahuma ij’alni Mina attawabeen wa ij’alni mina al-mutatahiren.
How To Do Tayammum without Soil?
According to the Hanafis and Maalikis, if the soil is unavailable, you can use any natural object for Tayammum, following the same Tayammum steps that we mentioned.
You need to ensure that the item that you are using for Tayammum is not manufactured. Also, it must not be food or liquid of course.
The key condition is that it should be a natural item, such as a rock or a clean wall.
Can I Do Tayammum Using a Stone?
Since stones are earthly materials it is okay to use them for Tayammum as long as the stone is in its natural condition. You can apply all of the Tayammum steps to that stone. If the stone is small you could flip it in your hands like a soap.
Can I Do Tayammum in The Car?
Yes, you can perform Tayammum in the car if it’s time to pray and no water is available then you can use any dust found on objects in your car for Tayammum. If no dust is present, you can follow the recommendation of the Hanafis and Maalikis, which permits using any clean surface for Tayammum, following the usual steps.
But it is important to note that: You need to make sure first that is there no water available by searching as hard as you can for any water resource, even if it means that you have to drive away to somewhere far away to find water, you may also buy some water to perform Wudu with it.
Before thinking about Tayamum, you are obligated to do the best you can do to find water and now in our days, there is a really rare chance not to find any water resource.
How to Do Tayammum on a Wall?
There are certain conditions for performing Tayammum on a wall:
- The wall must be made of natural materials like stones or clay, not wood or metal.
- The wall should not be painted. If it is painted, it must still have some dust on it to be suitable for Tayammum.
- Tayammum cannot be performed using materials that can melt (like metal) or burn to ashes (like wood).
How to Do Tayammum in a Hospital?
In a hospital, while water is usually available, some patients may not be able to use water due to their sickness and if doctors confirm that using water is harmful to them so In this case, Tayammum is permitted as an alternative to Wudu.
Hospitals are typically very clean, and it’s rare to find dust in hospital rooms. If that’s the case, patients have two options for performing Tayammum:
- Ask someone to bring some dust for them.
- Perform Tayammum on the hospital walls or any dust on their clothes.
If neither option is available, the patient can pray in their current state without Tayammum.
Can you Do Tayammum with Makeup on?
If you can not take off your makeup due to that water is not accessible, Then yes you can do Tayammum but first, try to remove your makeup as much as possible using a towel or fabric, and then perform Tayammum.
But if you think about doing Tayammum instead of Wudu to protect your makeup from water then of course that’s not permissible.
Read more about Wudu Steps For Women – How To Perform Wudu For Females?
Can I Do Tayammum If The Water Is Cold?
No, If the water is cold that is not an excuse to perform Tayammum, Since the water already exists so Tayammum is not permissible.
Remember that Prophet Mohammed ( Peace be upon him ) And Al Sahaba lived in a time when there were no water heaters or any house appliances to help with warming and drying the body.
However, if the water is so cold that using it would certainly lead to illness, and there is no way to warm it or protect yourself afterward, then Tayammum is allowed to avoid harm. This is supported by the saying of the Prophet ( peace be upon him ):
“There should neither be harming (of others without cause) nor reciprocating harm (between two parties).”
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Conclusion:
Tayammum, or dry ablution, is a substitute for Wudu when water is unavailable, allowing Muslims to maintain purity for prayers. It involves using clean earth, dust, or natural surfaces like stones or walls to purify oneself.
The Quran permits Tayammum when water cannot be found or using it would harm one’s health. It requires a specific intention (niyyah) for the prayer, followed by striking a surface with both hands and wiping the face and hands. Tayammum is an essential mercy, enabling Muslims to uphold their spiritual duties even in challenging circumstances.
To perform Tayammum, first say “Bismillah,” then strike a clean surface with both hands, ensuring the dust sticks. Rub your face, then wipe your hands up to the elbows. While Tayammum is not allowed before prayer time, it becomes permissible if water is inaccessible or harmful.
The earth itself is a pure source for Tayammum, but if no dust is found, other natural objects may be used. In emergencies like hospitals or when makeup is worn, Tayammum provides flexibility, ensuring Muslims can perform prayers while adhering to purity rules.
