In which situations tayammum can be performed instead of ablution?
Tayammum is an exceptional practice which substitutes ablution and ghusl under certain circumstances; however, it can only be practiced if there is a certain excuse. Tayammum is performed in place of both minor ablution and ghusl if one cannot find enough water to perform these or he finds the water but cannot use it.
The fact that tayammum may be performed when one cannot find water is clearly stated in verses (Nisa, 4/43; Ma’idah, 5/6). Also the hadiths about tayammum confirm the ruling of the Qur’an to perform tayammum when a person cannot find water. As a matter of fact, the Messenger of Allah saw a person who kept standing aside and did not attend prayer with community, and asked him, “O man! Why do not you attend community?” and the man replied, “O Messenger of Allah, I am junub and there is no water.” Then Prophet Muhammad (saw) said, “Use the earth, it is enough for you.” (Bukhari, Tayammum, 9)
Tayammum is performed in the following circumstances:
- a) If one cannot find enough water for ablution or ghusl,
- b) Lack of access to water even though there is water,
- c) Although there is water, if one cannot use it due to some obstacles such as extremely cold weather or not finding a place to have a bath,
- d) If it poses a risk to use water due to health conditions,
- e) If one will get sick, his sickness will exacerbate, or his recovery period will be extended in the event that he has a bath or washes the organs of ablution,
- f) If one is unable to wash half or more of his body or organs of ablution due to wounds, burns, etc.
A person less than half of whose organs are wounded washes his healthy organs and wipes over the wounded ones. As expressed in a narrative about this subject, a junub person who was wounded was asked to perform ghusl and he died because of this. When the Messenger of Allah heard about it he said, “They killed him! However, tayammum was enough for him.” (Abu Dawud, Taharah, 128)
Source: Presidency Of Religious Affairs The Turkey, High Board of Religious Affairs FATWAS
How Is Tayammum Performed? What Are The Things That Invalidate Tayammum?
