How to perform Tayammum?

How to perform Tayammum?

1. Intention, it is to be made in the mind, not uttered.         

2. Basmallah, i.e. to say Bismillah (I begin with the name of Allah).           

3. Strike the ground (or substance being used) with the palms of the hands and then blow off any excess dust.  

- Wipe the face with the hands once only.    

- Wipe over the back of the right hand up to the wrist with the palm of the left hand.      

- Wipe over the back of the left hand up to the wrist with the palm of the right hand.      

Important Notes:        

1. This is the same method used when one performs Tayammum instead of Ghusl.          

2. Tayammum replaces Wudhu or Ghusl and enables a person to do any acts of worship that normally require Wudhu or Ghusl.        

3. One does not have to renew the Tayammum for every prayer, as long as the previous Tayammum was not invalidated.    

4. If a person has prayed with Tayammum and then water becomes available, his completed prayer is valid and need not be repeated.           

5. If a person has made Tayammum in place of Ghusl, the completed prayers are valid and need not be repeated. One is obliged to take a bath as soon as possible.    

Invalidators of Tayammum   

1. Tayammum is invalidated once water is found.   

2. It is also invalidated by any of the invalidators of Wudhu.

Question: What is the ruling on making Tayammum when water is available?      

Answer: Praise be to Allah. This is a great evil for which this individual must be rebuked, for making Wudhu is one of the conditions of prayer when water is available. Allah says:

{يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا قُمْتُمْ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ فَاغْسِلُوا وُجُوهَكُمْ وَأَيْدِيَكُمْ إِلَى الْمَرَ‌افِقِ وَامْسَحُوا بِرُ‌ءُوسِكُمْ وَأَرْ‌جُلَكُمْ إِلَى الْكَعْبَيْنِ}     

‘Translation’ {O you who believe! When you intend to offer As-Salat (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 the ankles.} [Al-Ma'ida:6]. 

In Saheeh Bukhari and Muslim it is narrated that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessing be upon him, said: «The prayer of anyone of you will not be accepted if he breaks the wind, until he makes Wudhu». 

Allah has permitted Tayammum, which takes the place of Wudhu, when water is unavailable, or when one is unable to use it due to sickness, etc. Allah says:

{يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَقْرَ‌بُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَأَنتُمْ سُكَارَ‌ىٰ حَتَّىٰ تَعْلَمُوا مَا تَقُولُونَ وَلَا جُنُبًا إِلَّا عَابِرِ‌ي سَبِيلٍ حَتَّىٰ تَغْتَسِلُوا ۚ وَإِن كُنتُم مَّرْ‌ضَىٰ أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ‌ أَوْ جَاءَ أَحَدٌ مِّنكُم مِّنَ الْغَائِطِ أَوْ لَامَسْتُمُ النِّسَاءَ فَلَمْ تَجِدُوا مَاءً فَتَيَمَّمُوا صَعِيدًا طَيِّبًا فَامْسَحُوا بِوُجُوهِكُمْ وَأَيْدِيكُمْ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ كَانَ عَفُوًّا غَفُورً‌ا }

‘Translation’ {O you who believe! Approach not As-Salah (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 Janaaba (ie. in a state of sexual impurity and have not yet taken a bath), except when traveling 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). Truly, Allah is Ever Oft-Pardoning, Oft-Forgiving.} [An-Nisa:43].       

Imran ibn Husain, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “We were traveling with the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessing be upon him, and he led people in prayer. He saw a man standing aside, and he, peace and blessing be upon him, said: «What prevents you from performing prayers?» He said: I am in a state of major ritual impurity, and I have no water (to purify myself). The Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him, said: «Purify yourself with pure (dry) earth, for it is sufficient.»” (Bukhari).        

Therefore, it is clear that making Tayammum for prayer is not permissible when water is available and one is able to use it. In this case, it is obligatory for the Muslim to use water for Wudhu and for making Ghusl from Janabah (major impurity following sexual activity, wet dream, etc) no matter where he is, so long as he is able to use it. (If one reverts to Tayammum when water is readily available) his prayer will be incorrect, because he has omitted one of the conditions of prayer, which is purifying oneself with water when one is able to do so. (Bin Baz).