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Tayammum, purifying with earth

التيمم

Purifying with clean earth when there is no water, or when water cannot be used: when it is allowed, how it is done, and what ends it.

Quran

Tayammum is wiping the face and hands with clean earth, in place of wudu or ghusl, when there is no water or it cannot be used. The Quran allows it to the sick, the traveller and whoever finds no water (4:43, 5:6), and the Prophet ﷺ said the earth was made for him a place of prayer and a means of purification.

Its agreed core is wiping the face and the hands with earth. The schools differ on how many strikes, how far up the arms, and on order and continuity; each step says where.

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When it is allowed

  1. When it is allowed

    When there is no water, or using it would cause illness or make an illness worse or slower to heal.

    All four schools: description

    Sources: 5:6

How it is done

  1. How it is done

    Intend in your heart to purify yourself for the prayer.

    Hanafi: not statedMaliki: pillarShafi'i: pillarHanbali: pillar

    Where the schools differ

    islamweb's fatwa on the schools lists the intention among the pillars of tayammum for the Malikis, Shafi'is and Hanbalis (the Hanbalis: intending what the tayammum is for).

    Sources: The schools on the pillars, Sunnahs and manners of tayammum (islamweb fatwa 64048)

  2. How it is done

    Strike clean earth with the palms of both hands.

    Hanafi: pillarMaliki: pillarShafi'i: pillarHanbali: not stated

    Where the schools differ

    The Hanafis count two strikes, one for the face and one for the hands; for the Malikis the first strike is a pillar and a second a Sunnah; the Shafi'is make transferring the dust a pillar and two strikes a Sunnah. In 'Ammar's hadith, the Prophet ﷺ struck once.

    Sources: Sahih al-Bukhari 338; The schools on the pillars, Sunnahs and manners of tayammum (islamweb fatwa 64048)

  3. How it is done

    Wipe your whole face with your palms.

    All four schools: pillar

    Sources: 5:6; The schools on the pillars, Sunnahs and manners of tayammum (islamweb fatwa 64048)

  4. How it is done

    Wipe the backs of your hands, each with the other palm.

    All four schools: pillar

    Where the schools differ

    To the wrists for the Malikis and Hanbalis, as in 'Ammar's hadith; to the elbows for the Hanafis and Shafi'is.

    Sources: Sahih al-Bukhari 338; The schools on the pillars, Sunnahs and manners of tayammum (islamweb fatwa 64048)

  5. How it is done

    The face first, then the hands.

    Hanafi: sunnahMaliki: sunnahShafi'i: pillarHanbali: pillar

    Where the schools differ

    A pillar for the Shafi'is, and for the Hanbalis in the minor impurity; a Sunnah for the Hanafis and Malikis.

    Sources: The schools on the pillars, Sunnahs and manners of tayammum (islamweb fatwa 64048)

  6. How it is done

    Without a long pause between the face and the hands.

    Hanafi: sunnahMaliki: pillarShafi'i: sunnahHanbali: pillar

    Where the schools differ

    A pillar for the Malikis, and for the Hanbalis in the minor impurity; a Sunnah for the Hanafis and Shafi'is.

    Sources: The schools on the pillars, Sunnahs and manners of tayammum (islamweb fatwa 64048)

What ends it

  1. What ends it

    Whatever breaks wudu ends tayammum too.

    All four schools: breaks it

    Sources: Tayammum has no time limit (islamweb fatwa 12978)

  2. What ends it

    Finding water, or becoming able to use it, ends it: then wudu or ghusl is due.

    All four schools: breaks it

    Sources: Tayammum has no time limit (islamweb fatwa 12978); Does tayammum lift the impurity or only permit the prayer? (islamweb fatwa 394024)

  3. What ends it

    Does one tayammum serve for several prayers?

    Where the schools differ

    Most scholars, the prevailing Maliki view and the sound Shafi'i view among them, hold that tayammum does not lift the impurity but only makes the prayer permitted; the Hanafis hold that it lifts it, so it may be done before the time and serves until it is broken. islamweb's fatwas say one tayammum serves any number of prayers until it is broken or water can be used, and quote Ibn 'Uthaymin that it lifts the impurity.

    Sources: Does tayammum lift the impurity or only permit the prayer? (islamweb fatwa 394024); Tayammum has no time limit (islamweb fatwa 12978)

Evidence

QuranAn-Nisaa (The Women)Quran 4:43

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَقْرَبُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَأَنتُمْ سُكَـٰرَىٰ حَتَّىٰ تَعْلَمُوا۟ مَا تَقُولُونَ وَلَا جُنُبًا إِلَّا عَابِرِى سَبِيلٍ حَتَّىٰ تَغْتَسِلُوا۟ ۚ وَإِن كُنتُم مَّرْضَىٰٓ أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ أَوْ جَآءَ أَحَدٌ مِّنكُم مِّنَ ٱلْغَآئِطِ أَوْ لَـٰمَسْتُمُ ٱلنِّسَآءَ فَلَمْ تَجِدُوا۟ مَآءً فَتَيَمَّمُوا۟ صَعِيدًا طَيِّبًا فَٱمْسَحُوا۟ بِوُجُوهِكُمْ وَأَيْدِيكُمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَفُوًّا غَفُورًا ٤٣

O you who have believed, do not approach prayer while you are intoxicated until you know what you are saying[187] or in a state of janābah,[188] except those passing through [a place of prayer], until you have washed [your whole body]. And if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women [i.e., had sexual intercourse] and find no water, then seek clean earth and wipe over your faces and your hands [with it]. Indeed, Allāh is ever Pardoning[189] and Forgiving.

Translator's notes

[187] The use of intoxicants was later prohibited completely. See 5:90-91. [188] Literally, "distance." The state of one under obligation to perform ghusl (a complete bath) due to having had sexual intercourse or ejaculation. [189] Literally, able to erase and remove sins completely, leaving no trace of them in the record of deeds.

Saheeh International · QuranEnc v1.1.2

Another translation: Al-Hilali & Muhsin Khan · QuranEnc v1.1.2

43. O you who believe! Approach not As-Salât (the prayer) when you are in a drunken state until you know (the meaning) of what you utter, nor when you are in a state of Janâba ,(i.e. in a state of sexual impurity and have not yet taken a bath) except when travelling on the road (without enough water, or just passing through a mosque), till you wash your whole body. And if you are ill, or on a journey, or one of you comes after answering the call of nature, or you have been in contact with women (by sexual relations) and you find no water, perform Tayammum with clean earth and rub therewith your faces and hands (Tayammum)[14]. Truly, Allâh is Ever Oft-Pardoning, Oft-Forgiving.

[14] (V.4:43) Strike your hands on the earth and then pass the palm of each on the back of the other and then blow off the dust from them and then pass (rub) them on your face, this is called Tayammum

Read in context on Quran.com
Sahih

Sahih al-Bukhari 335

Grades
GraderVerdict
al-BukhariSahih (included by al-Bukhari in his Sahih) (Sahih)
Full narration

حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ سِنَانٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا هُشَيْمٌ، ح قَالَ وَحَدَّثَنِي سَعِيدُ بْنُ النَّضْرِ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا هُشَيْمٌ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا سَيَّارٌ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا يَزِيدُ ـ هُوَ ابْنُ صُهَيْبٍ الْفَقِيرُ ـ قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا جَابِرُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ أُعْطِيتُ خَمْسًا لَمْ يُعْطَهُنَّ أَحَدٌ قَبْلِي نُصِرْتُ بِالرُّعْبِ مَسِيرَةَ شَهْرٍ، وَجُعِلَتْ لِيَ الأَرْضُ مَسْجِدًا وَطَهُورًا، فَأَيُّمَا رَجُلٍ مِنْ أُمَّتِي أَدْرَكَتْهُ الصَّلاَةُ فَلْيُصَلِّ، وَأُحِلَّتْ لِيَ الْمَغَانِمُ وَلَمْ تَحِلَّ لأَحَدٍ قَبْلِي، وَأُعْطِيتُ الشَّفَاعَةَ، وَكَانَ النَّبِيُّ يُبْعَثُ إِلَى قَوْمِهِ خَاصَّةً، وَبُعِثْتُ إِلَى النَّاسِ عَامَّةً ‏"‏‏.‏

Narrated Jabir bin `Abdullah:The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "I have been given five things which were not given to any one 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

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QuranAl-Maaida (The Table)Quran 5:6

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا قُمْتُمْ إِلَى ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ فَٱغْسِلُوا۟ وُجُوهَكُمْ وَأَيْدِيَكُمْ إِلَى ٱلْمَرَافِقِ وَٱمْسَحُوا۟ بِرُءُوسِكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُمْ إِلَى ٱلْكَعْبَيْنِ ۚ وَإِن كُنتُمْ جُنُبًا فَٱطَّهَّرُوا۟ ۚ وَإِن كُنتُم مَّرْضَىٰٓ أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ أَوْ جَآءَ أَحَدٌ مِّنكُم مِّنَ ٱلْغَآئِطِ أَوْ لَـٰمَسْتُمُ ٱلنِّسَآءَ فَلَمْ تَجِدُوا۟ مَآءً فَتَيَمَّمُوا۟ صَعِيدًا طَيِّبًا فَٱمْسَحُوا۟ بِوُجُوهِكُمْ وَأَيْدِيكُم مِّنْهُ ۚ مَا يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ لِيَجْعَلَ عَلَيْكُم مِّنْ حَرَجٍ وَلَـٰكِن يُرِيدُ لِيُطَهِّرَكُمْ وَلِيُتِمَّ نِعْمَتَهُۥ عَلَيْكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ ٦

O you who have believed, when you rise to [perform] prayer, wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows and wipe over your heads and wash your feet to the ankles. And if you are in a state of janābah,[245] then purify yourselves. But if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women[246] and do not find water, then seek clean earth and wipe over your faces and hands with it. Allāh does not intend to make difficulty for you, but He intends to purify you and complete His favor upon you that you may be grateful.

Translator's notes

[245] See footnote to 4:43. [246] i.e., had sexual intercourse.

Saheeh International · QuranEnc v1.1.2

Another translation: Al-Hilali & Muhsin Khan · QuranEnc v1.1.2

6. O you who believe! When you intend to offer As-Salât (the prayer), wash your faces and your hands (forearms) up to the elbows, rub (by passing wet hands over) your heads, and (wash) your feet up to ankles[3]. If you are in a state of Janâba (i.e. after a sexual discharge), purify yourselves (bathe your whole body). But if you are ill or on a journey, or any of you comes after 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.[4] Allâh does not want to place you in difficulty, but He wants to purify you, and to complete His Favour to you that you may be thankful.

[3] (V.5:6) The superiority of ablution. And Al-Ghurr-ul Muhajjalûn (the parts of the body of the Muslims washed in ablution will shine on the Day of Resurrection and the angels will call them by that name) from the traces of ablution. Narrated Nu‘aim Al-Mujmir: Once I went up the roof of the mosque along with Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه. He performed ablution and said, "I heard the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم saying, ‘On the Day of Resurrection, my followers will be called Al-Ghurr-ul-Muhajjalûn from the traces of ablution and whoever can increase the area of his radiance* should do so (by performing ablution in the most perfect manner).’ " (Sahih Al-Bukhâri, Vol.1, Hadîth No.138). *The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم did not increase the area more than what is washed of the body parts while doing ablution as Allâh ordered to be washed in the Qur’ân. [For details about Wudu (ablution), see Sahih Al-Bukhâri, Vol.1, (The Book of Ablution)]. [4] (V.5:6) Strike your hands on the earth and then pass the palm of each on the back of the other and then blow off the dust from them and then pass (rub) them on your face: this is called Tayammum

Read in context on Quran.com
Sahih

Sahih al-Bukhari 338

Grades
GraderVerdict
al-BukhariSahih (included by al-Bukhari in his Sahih) (Sahih)
Full narration

حَدَّثَنَا آدَمُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، حَدَّثَنَا الْحَكَمُ، عَنْ ذَرٍّ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ أَبْزَى، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى عُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ فَقَالَ إِنِّي أَجْنَبْتُ فَلَمْ أُصِبِ الْمَاءَ‏.‏ فَقَالَ عَمَّارُ بْنُ يَاسِرٍ لِعُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ أَمَا تَذْكُرُ أَنَّا كُنَّا فِي سَفَرٍ أَنَا وَأَنْتَ فَأَمَّا أَنْتَ فَلَمْ تُصَلِّ، وَأَمَّا أَنَا فَتَمَعَّكْتُ فَصَلَّيْتُ، فَذَكَرْتُ لِلنَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ إِنَّمَا كَانَ يَكْفِيكَ هَكَذَا ‏"‏‏.‏ فَضَرَبَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِكَفَّيْهِ الأَرْضَ، وَنَفَخَ فِيهِمَا ثُمَّ مَسَحَ بِهِمَا وَجْهَهُ وَكَفَّيْهِ‏.‏

Narrated `Abdur Rahman bin Abza [??]:A man came to `Umar bin Al-Khattab and said, "I became Junub but no water was available." `Ammar bin Yasir said to `Umar, "Do you remember that you and I (became Junub while both of us) were together on a journey and you didn't pray but I rolled myself on the ground and prayed? I informed the Prophet (ﷺ) about it and he said, 'It would have been sufficient for you to do like this.' The Prophet then stroked lightly the earth with his hands and then blew off the dust and passed his hands over his face and hands

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