Purification for the sick: Tayammum
Ulama Institute #1
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Purification is accomplished by means of two methods namely:
- Pure water
- Pure earth
Pure water includes water from springs, rivers, ocean water and wells. Allah ﷻ says:
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَرْسَلَ ٱلرِّيَـٰحَ بُشْرًۢا بَيْنَ يَدَىْ رَحْمَتِهِۦ ۚ وَأَنزَلْنَا مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءًۭ طَهُورًۭا ( سورة الفرقان: ٤٨ )
“And it is He who sends the winds as good tidings before His mercy [i.e. rainfall] and we send down from the sky pure water.” [Soorat al-Furqaan :48]
Pure earth refers to the surface of the earth, such as dust, stone, or sand. Obtaining purification using earth is referred to as tayammum. The Prophet ﷺ says:
جعلت لي الأرض مسجداً وطهوراً ” (البخاري )
“The earth has been made for me as a place of prayer and a purifier.” [al-Bukhaar]
Allah ﷻ has legislated purification for prayer. Being in a state of tahaarah (purity), and removing uncleanliness from the body, the garment, or the place of prayer are two of the many conditions required for prayer to be correct. If a Muslim wishes to pray, he has to perform wudoo’ (ablution) to remove minor impurity, or ghusl (washing) to remove janaabah (major impurity).
The ruling of purification applies to all, whether male or female, young or old, healthy or sick. Using water for purification is preferable to using earth. In fact, it is not permissible to use earth for purification where water is available and can be used without fear or difficulty.
It is only under certain conditions that a person may perform tayammum instead of wudoo’ (ablution) or ghusl. Among the conditions are:
When there is no water or only enough water for the people to survive on.
When there is water, but getting it is risky to the extent that it it might be life threatening.
When there is water, but using it may endanger one’s health or life, because of illness, an injury or the condition of the water.
If a person fulfils the requirements for tayammum, then he/she may perform tayammum for purification from minor or major impurity. Tayammum is done by hitting the hands on clean earth then wiping over the face, then hitting the hands on the clean earth once more and wiping over the hands. One should also remember to make niyyah (intention) before making tayammum, as well as say Bissmillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem.
Thus, if a person is unable to use water for purification due to illness then he or she may perform tayammum.
