(I) Description of Tayammum [1]

The description of it is:

  • To strike the wholesome sa’eed[2], which is the surface of the earth with his two hands once, and then wipe with them his face and hands[3].

And that is for the saying of the Prophet blessings and peace be upon him) to ‘Ammaar: “it would have been enough for you to do like this, and he struck the floor with his hands and wiped.[4]”

  • And if he made tayammum with more than one strike or wiped more than once, it would be permissible.

(II) Its Conditions

And it has four conditions:

(1)   One is the inability to use water either:

a. because of its lack,

b. or fear of harm if he used it, because of sickness or severe cold,

c. or if he feared thirst for himself or his companion or beast,

d. or if he feared for himself or his property if he sought it,

e. or if he can’t obtain it except with an expensive price.

And if he could use it on part of his body or found some water that is insufficient for his purification, then he should use it and make tayammum for the rest.

(2) Commencement of The Prayer Time

The second is the commencement of the time of the prayer[5]

So he should not make tayammum for a mandatory prayer before its time, or for a recommended prayer during the time of its prohibition.

(3) Intention

The third is the intention[6]

So if he made tayammum for a recommended prayer, he must not pray a mandatory prayer with it. And if he made tayammum for a mandatory prayer, he can do it and other mandatory and recommended ones until its time is out.

(4) Soil

Fourth: soil [7]Thus he may not use other than wholesome soil that has particles of dust.

(III) Invalidators of Tayammum

What invalidates the wet ablution would invalidate the tayammum.

The ending of the prayer time[8], ability to use water even if he was in prayer[9]

[1] Tayammum means linguistically to head towards, and in this case it would be heading for seeking the clean surface of the earth.

[2] Sa’eed means the surface of the earth. According to (H+M) and must be soil according to (S+A) and it seems that (H+M) is stronger, since the prophet said: “The earth was made a place of prayer for me and a source of purification” and that should apply to any surface of the earth, including the ice in Alaska if there is no water.

[3] The hands are wiped up to the wrists as indicated by the agreed upon hadeeth of ‘Ammar. According to (S) it is up to the elbows based on a different hadeeth that is not authentic according to the scholars of hadeeth.

[4] The author didn’t mention the complete hadeeth, which said: “…and wiped his face and two hands” the word used in the hadeeth is kaff, which means the hands up to the wrists.

[5] This is a condition according to (M+S+A) and not a condition according to (H+a). If we believe that tayammum removes the impurity like water, then the opinion of (H+a) would be the stronger.

[6] If you believe tayammum does remove the impurity, then you will intend to make it for that, and use it to pray any number of prayers until you find water or break your tayammum.

[7] It seems that the position of (H+M) that the surface of the earth in general is the sa’eed is stronger, and based on it, you will always be able to make tayammum except in very extraordinary conditions, then you will simply pray without purity according to the vast majority, and you will not need to repeat that prayer thereafter according to the stronger opinion.

[8] (H+a): the ending of the prayer time doesn’t invalidate the tayammum.

[9] According to (M+S+a): he should not interrupt he prayer.