Ablution: Tayammum

In circumstances when water cannot be found, or just enough is available for drinking, or it is injurious to health: in such situations Tayammum (dry ablution) can be performed.

The procedure below is given according to Qur'an and Hadith. ". . . And if you don't find any water, then take clean earth (or sand) and rub it on your face, and hands. Allah does not wish to put you in a difficulty, bet he wants to make you clean, and complete His favour unto you, so you should be grateful to Him." (Surah V. verse 6). (The permission to use sand for this purpose is allowed in the Qur'an).

Here is the complete sixth verse of Surah V (Al-Maaida),

 

"O ye who believe! when ye prepare for prayer, wash your faces, and your hands (and arms) to the elbows; Rub your heads (with water); and (wash) your feet to the ankles. If ye are in a state of ceremonial impurity, bathe your whole body. But 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, Allah doth not wish to place you in a difficulty, but to make you clean, and to complete his favour to you, that ye may be grateful."

Procedure

1. Make niyat in the heart.
2. Begin with the name of Allah.
3. Strike both palms of hand on clean sand, dust or anything containing these, e.g. wall or stone etc. then blow  into the palms. Pass the palms of both hands over the face once and then rub your right hand with the left palm and left hand with the right palm. (Bukhari and Muslim)
4. Finish with the same Dua as given at the end of ablution.

Note: Other procedures include the forearms and shoulders as well as armpits. These have been transmitted by reputable scholars but the most preferable and authentic is that given above.

Source:

Above were taken from the book of M. Abdul Karim Saqib. A Guide to Prayer in Islam. And from the Holy Qur'an.

Click to download the PDF version of this post.