How to Perform Tayammum: Step-by-Step Guide to Purification

How To Perform Tayammum Dry Ablution

Islam is known as “Deen-e-Fitrat” (دِینِ فِطْرَت), which translates to “Religion of Nature”. It means that Islam is a religion that deals with and facilitates the “natural way of life”. It implies that Islam does not expect from its followers something that is not humanly possible for them. The Quran also clearly mentions that Allah does not impose on believers anything beyond their capacity. The 286th verse of Surah Al-Baqarah narrates it as follows:

لَا يُكَلِّفُ اللہُ نَفْسًا اِلَّا وُسْعَہَا

“God does not burden a soul beyond capacity”

In this context, Islam provides waivers, relaxations, and exemptions on the performance of some of the most essential and obligatory acts if someone is unable to accomplish them under compelling circumstances. The most prominent example of such exemptions is the relaxation in obligatory fasting in the month of Ramadan, if an individual is traveling, is sick, or is unable to fast due to any valid reason, as mentioned in verses 184 and 185 of Surah Al-Baqarah.

Likewise, relaxation is also provided in the performance of wudu (Ablution), which is a mandatory requirement before standing up for Salah (Prayer) or the performance of other acts of worship, such as circumambulation of the Ka’aba (Tawaf) or recitation of the Quran. Wudu is done with water, but if it is not available at any particular time or location, Muslims are allowed to perform “tayammum” as an alternate to wudu. The option of tayammum is aimed at facilitating the believers so they may not be deprived of the performance of religious obligations, just due to the non-availability of water.

Tayammum – An Islamic Concept of Attaining Purification

Tayammum (تيمم) is an Islamic way of attaining purification in the absence of water, and is also known as “dry ablution”, in Islamic terminology. It is done by using clean earth, such as dust, stone, sand, or soil. In a broader perspective, Tayammum serves as a substitute for both Wudu (ablution) and Ghusl (complete ablution or ritual bath), under some of the compelling circumstances, when clean water is not available or cannot be used due to valid reasons.

The permissibility of dry ablution (Tayammum) is clearly allowed in the Quran, in at least two different verses. The 43rd verse of Surah An-Nisa comprehensively commands as follows:

Translation

O you who believe, do not perform your service of prayer when you are intoxicated until you are sure of what you are saying, nor when in a state of seminal pollution, until you have taken a bath, except when you are travelling. But in case you are ill or are travelling, or you have relieved yourself of nature’s call, or cohabited with a woman, and cannot find water, then take wholesome dust and pass it over your face and hands: God is benign and forgiving.

The same subject is further explained in the 6th verse of Surah Al-Ma’ida in the following words:

Translation of relevant part –

“……… and you cannot find water, then take wholesome dust and pass it over your face and your hands, for God does not wish to impose any hardship on you. He wishes to purify you, and grace you with His favors in full so that you may be grateful”.

The above two verses not only clearly allow the performance of tayammum in the absence of water but also define how to perform it.

The permission to perform tayammum is also clearly mentioned in Sunnah, such as Hadith 335 of Sahih Al-Bukhari, which describes five special things given by Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ to the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ that were not given to any other Prophet. The permissibility of tayammum is mentioned at number 2 in the list of these five things.

Translation

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “I have been given five things which were not given to anyone else before me. -1. Allah made me victorious by awe, (by His frightening my enemies) for a distance of one month’s journey. -2. The earth has been made for me (and for my followers) a place for praying and a thing to perform Tayammum, therefore anyone of my followers can pray wherever the time of a prayer is due. -3. The booty has been made Halal (lawful) for me yet it was not lawful for anyone else before me. -4. I have been given the right of intercession (on the Day of Resurrection). -5. Every Prophet used to be sent to his nation only but I have been sent to all mankind.

Hence, the Islamic teachings are quite clear on the subject of performing tayammum in the absence of water, under specific conditions.

The Permissibility of Tayammum is Conditional

As is also evident from the above-referred Quranic verses, the permissibility of the performance of tayammum, instead of regular ablution (wudu), is conditional. According to the majority of scholars, the option of performing tayammum as an alternative to Wudu is only allowed under the following compelling situations:

Non-Availability of Water – Tayammum can be performed in areas where there is no water currently available, within a reachable distance. It implies that if water is available within a reasonable distance, one must go for it to perform wudu, but if it is beyond that range, tayammum can be performed.
Serious Medical Conditions – If using water is strictly prohibited by an authentic medical advisor, in the event of a serious medical condition, scholars are of the view that tayammum can be performed by such a person, instead of wudu.
Scarcity of Water – When water is available in extremely limited quantity, and the survival of an individual solely depends on it, Tayammum is permissible in Islamic teachings, so that the available water can be saved for drinking purposes.
Getting Water Is Dangerous – A situation may arise in a particular location, at a given time, when access to water might pose a serious and real threat to lives. Under these undeniable conditions, saving lives is the first priority; hence, performing tayammum instead of wudu is permissible.

Important

The permissibility of tayammum is sufficiently discussed in various Hadiths. While many Hadiths are available in the authentic Hadith collections about their permissibility, some of them also restrict their usage in a different context. This concept is clarified in different Hadiths, such as Hadiths 345 and 346 of Sahih Al-Bukhari.

Translation of relevant part –

“if we allowed it, then they would probably perform Tayammum even if water was available, if one of them found it (water) cold.”

It means that although tayammum is permissible in Islamic teachings, it must be used under extremely compelling circumstances and, more importantly, should not be adopted as a regular practice.

Islamic Rules and Steps on How to Perform Tayammum

The basic source of guidance in Islamic teachings is the Quran and Sunnah, which provide complete steps to perform important religious rituals. Accordingly, the above-mentioned Quranic verses and Hadith references provide the basic guidance on the performance of “tayammum” (dry ablution).

The steps to follow in tayammum are more elaborately described in other authentic Hadiths, such as Hadith 338 of Sahih Al-Bukhari.

Translation of Relevant –

‘It would have been sufficient for you to do like this.’ The Prophet then stroked the earth lightly with his hands, and then blew off the dust and passed his hands over his face and hands.”

The above and quite a few other Hadiths provide the basic concept of how to perform Tayammum as an alternate to Wudu. Accordingly, the scholars have advised the step-by-step procedure to perform tayammum, as outlined below:

Make Intention – The first step is to make intention, sincerely intending to purify yourself for worship, such as standing up for Prayer (Salah). It is recommended that the intention should be made specifically for performing tayammum.
Essentials – Make sure that the earth material being used for tayammum (dust, stones, sand, soil) is clean (pure) and does not contain any form of impurity. If there is any, try to remove it, if possible; otherwise, look for a clean material.
Timings – According to the majority of scholars, the best time to perform tayammum for offering salah is after the beginning of prayer timings, though it can also be done at any time.
Start In The Name Of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ – After making intention (Niyyah), start tayammum with recitation of “Bismillah” (بِسْمِ اللہِ).
Strike Both Hands on Earth – Strike both hands by slightly pressing against the clean earth, such as soil, sand, or dust. Then wipe the back of your right hand by rubbing the palm of your left hand on it. Then wipe the back of the left hand by rubbing the palm of the right hand on it. The aim is to purify both sides of the hands with clean earth material. After the performance of this important step, blow off the excessive soil or dust from both hands.
Wipe The Face – The next step is to wipe the face (after blowing away the excess soil from hands), with both hands, ensuring that the whole face is wiped well.
Repeat The Process For Arms (Optional) – According to some scholars, the process can also be repeated to wipe both arms. However, according to the different Hadiths, wiping both hands and face is only required.
Make Dua – On completion of the process of tayammum, finish with recitation of regular Dua, as is recommended after the completion of ablution.

Validity of Tayammum

Tayammum, just like ablution, remains valid, unless one or more of the following happens:

Any action that breaks wudu, such as defecation, urination, and passing gas.
Water becomes available.
The medical conditions that prohibited the use of water have been removed.

FAQs

Is Tayammum also permissible if one is obliged to perform Ghusl?

Yes, tayammum is a permissible action for both wudu and ghusl, under special circumstances, with strict conditions.

For how long does Tayammum remain valid?

The validity of Tayammum is just like the regular wudu. The conditions that break wudu also break tayammum. However, wudu becomes obligatory immediately on the availability of water.

How many prayers can be performed with one tayammum?

There is no restriction on the number of prayers with one tayammum, unless it gets invalidated due to urination or passing gas.

Can tayammum be performed in severe cold weather, even if water is available?

No, if water is available, wudu is obligatory, even if it is too cold. Tayammum is only permissible in the event of the non-availability of water. In this context, the content of Hadiths 345 and 346 of Sahih Al-Bukhari. Should be taken as guidance.

What should I do if water becomes available, while I had already performed tayammum?

As a basic principle, one must perform wudu before offering any prayer, when water becomes available, even if they had already performed tayammum. Tayammum immediately becomes invalid on the availability of water.

Conclusion

Attaining ritual and physical purity is obligatory for every Muslim before standing up for the performance of prayer (salah) or for any other act of worship, such as recitation of the Quran and so on. This process is referred to as “wudu” (ablution) in Islamic teachings. Since Islam is a complete guidance on living a practical life, it does not impose something that may not be humanly doable. Technically, the performance of wudu is linked with the availability of a sufficient amount of water, but the Islamic teachings are also quite clear on what to do if it is not available at a particular time or at a specific location. The alternate option is to perform tayammum, which means “dry ablution”.

Muslims are allowed to perform tayammum by striking both hands on clean soil, dust, or sand and then wiping the face with both hands before the performance of prayer. Tayammum is a permissible alternative for both wudu (ablution) and ghusl (ritual bath). Accordingly, it remains valid just like the regular wudu and breaks with any of the acts that break the wudu. However, wudu becomes obligatory immediately upon the availability of water, even if one has performed tayammum.