What is Tayammum?
In Islam, one of the obligatory practices is praying. If you are conscious of the importance of prayer, you probably want to learn about Islamic purifying practices. Islam, in fact, never tells us to take things at face value. One such topic that most people should be knowledgeable about is tayammum. Luckily, every major and small piece of information regarding Tayammum in Islam you require will be revealed. In this blog, you will learn about the method and the steps of Tayammum.
Tayammum Meaning
The word Tayammum means “aim” or “purpose” in Arabic. “Aiming for or seeking soil to wipe one’s face and hands with the intention of purification and preparing oneself to pray, and so on” is all it means in Islamic law.
Tayammum (dry ablution) In Islam
The act of ritual cleansing is proven by the Quran and Sunnah.
O you who have believed, do not approach prayer while you are intoxicated until you know what you are saying or in a state of impurity, except those passing through [a place of prayer], until you have washed [your whole body]. But if you are sick or on a journey, or any of you has come from the toilet, or you have touched women, and you cannot find water, then make your ablution on clean ground and wipe a part of your faces and your hands. Indeed Allah is all-excusing, all-forgiving. (Surah An Nisa: 43)
Narrated `Imran bin Husain Al-Khuza`i:
Allah’s Messenger (SAW) saw a person sitting aloof and not praying with the people. He asked him, “O so and so! What prevented you from offering the prayer with the people?” He replied, “O Allah’s Messenger (SAW)! I am Junub and there is no water.” The Prophet (Peace be upon Him) said, “Perform Tayammum with clean earth and that will be sufficient for you.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 348)
How to do Tayammum?
Performing tayammum following the Sunnah involves following the steps and guidelines as taught by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The Sunnah provides a detailed method for performing Dry Ablution.
Tayammum Niyyah
When it comes to how to do Tayammum, making intention or Niyat (niyyah) in their heart is one of the key steps of Tayammum. To make the niyyah, you can do so silently in your heart, and it should reflect your intention to purify yourself and fulfil the religious requirements without water. The exact wording of the niyyah may vary, but it should be sincere and focused on your specific situation. Here’s a simple example of how you might formulate the niyyah:
“Since there isn’t any water available or I can’t use it, I intend to perform Tayammum to purify myself for Allah’s sake in place of wudu (or ghusl).”
Fard (Compulsory Acts) of Tayammum
There are 3 Fard in Tayammum:
- Niyyah (intention).
- Rubbing one’s face with both hands while striking the ground.
- striking both hands together on the earth and rubbing both forearms, including the elbows.
Tayammum Dua
There is no specific dua for performing tayammum in the Islamic faith. However, it is recommended to say the “Bismillah” when striking the ground and then make a personal supplication or prayer to Allah. Then the same dua that is recited after wudu’ should be recited after tayammum.
Tayammum Steps
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to perform Tayammum:
Step 1: Make the Intention (Niyyah)
Before starting Tayammum, make a sincere intention in your heart to perform Tayammum as a substitute for wudu (ablution) or ghusl, based on the specific circumstances that make it necessary. Your intention should be focused on fulfilling the religious requirements.
Step 2: Find Clean and Dusty Soil
Look for clean and dry soil or dust. The soil must be free from impurities or contaminants. Ideally, the soil should be pure and not mixed with any impurities.
Step 3: Strike the Soil
Gently strike the surface of the clean soil with your hands, creating dust or fine particles.
Step 4: Dust Off Excess Soil
Shake off any excess soil from your hands so that only fine dust remains on your hands.
Step 5: Wipe Your Face
With the dust on your hands, lightly wipe your face. Start by wiping your forehead and then move your hands down to your nose, chin, and cheeks, ensuring that you cover your entire face. This should be done once.
Step 6: Wipe Your Hands
After wiping your face, use the same dust-covered hands to wipe your right and left hands, starting with your right hand and then your left hand. Wipe from your fingertips to your wrists.
Step 7: Pray or Perform Your Worship
Once you have completed, you are now in a state of ritual purity and can perform your obligatory prayer (salat) or any other religious acts that require purification. It remains valid until you break it intentionally or if water becomes available and you can perform wudu or ghusl.
When is Tayammum Permissible
Tayammum is a method of dry ablution (purification) used in Islamic rituals when water is not available or its use is prohibited due to specific reasons. It is permissible under the following conditions:
Conditions of tayammum
The conditions for performing Day Ablution are as follows:
Absence or Lack of Sufficient Water
If you cannot find water or the water is not enough for Wudu. Before making Tayammum, you should try to get appropriate water from any accessible place you can find. Only if you cannot find good water, or it is too far away, you can make Dry Ablution.
During Journey
During a journey, Tayammum can be performed in place of Wudu or Ghusl. If water is not available or if using water would be harmful or detrimental to one’s health. It is a dry ablution that involves using clean earth or dust to symbolically cleanse oneself before prayer or other acts of worship. It is a valid alternative to using water in certain circumstances, such as when water is scarce or when using water would cause harm or hardship.
Injury or Bad Health Condition
A person can perform Tayammum if they are injured or in a bad health condition that prevents them from using water for ablution. If you have medical reasons that make it impossible to use water, you can perform Dry Ablution as a substitute.
Hazrat Jabir (R.A) said:
We set out on a journey. One of our people was hurt by a stone, that injured his head. He then had a sexual dream. He asked his fellow travellers: Do you find a concession for me to perform tayammum? They said: We do not find any concession for you while you can use water. He took a bath and died. When we came to the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him), the incident was reported to him. He said: They killed him, may Allah kill them! Could they not ask when they did not know? The cure for ignorance is inquiry. It was enough for him to perform tayammum and to pour some drops of water or bind a bandage over the wound (the narrator Musa was doubtful); then he should have wiped over it and washed the rest of his body. (Sunan Abi Dawud 336)
Harmful Water
If the available water is harmful, you are allowed to perform Tayammum. Harmful water may include water that is extremely cold, hot, or contaminated in a way that it could harm you. It can also include water that is not suitable for purification, such as salty or chemically polluted water.
Saving Water
Tayammum can also be performed as a means of saving water. Islam encourages the conservation of resources, including water. It can be used as an alternative to using water for ablution when water is scarce or when using water would be wasteful. This can be particularly relevant in areas experiencing drought or water shortages.
Avoiding Danger
Dry Ablution can also be performed to avoid danger or harm. If using water for ablution poses a risk or danger to one’s safety, Tayammum can be performed as a substitute. For example, if there is a risk of slipping or falling in a slippery area while using water, or if the water source is contaminated or unsafe to use, Dry Ablution can be performed instead.
Uncertainty of Reaching Water
Tayammum can be performed in the condition of uncertainty of reaching the water. If a person is unsure whether they will be able to find water within a reasonable distance or time, they can perform Tayammum as a precautionary measure. This ensures that they can fulfil the ritual purification requirements before prayer even if water is not readily available.
Tayammum Stone
A tayammum stone is a type of stone used for dry ablution, which Muslims use to perform dry ritual purification using purified sand, stone, or mud. This is the Islamic practice of substituting wudu or ghusl when there is no clean water available or when using water is harmful or difficult. It involves wiping the face and hands with the intention of purification and readiness for prayer. Tayammum stone should be free of Najayah (unclean elements) and not changed by burning or other processes.
Conclusion
The Islamic concept of Tayammum provides a wealth of information regarding the importance of purification in Islam. Given certain conditions, and by following certain steps of Tayammum we can achieve purification. Islam has made everything easier for the Muslim Ummah so that we can always remain in touch with Allah. It is our moral duty to use these lenient opportunities to be closer to Allah.
