At-Tayammum – JSS1 Islamic Studies Lesson Note (Second Term)

At-Tayammum is the dry purification in Islam, done with clean earth when a Muslim cannot find or cannot use water for Wudu or Ghusl.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Define Tayammum and give proof for it from the Quran and the Sunnah.
2. State when Tayammum is allowed.
3. Name the materials that are valid and invalid for Tayammum.
4. Perform Tayammum step by step.
5. List the things that make Tayammum invalid.
6. State the differences between Tayammum and Wudu.

What is Tayammum?

Tayammum is the act of wiping the face and hands with clean earth, with the intention of purification, instead of using water.

• Meaning of the word: “Tayammum” comes from an Arabic word meaning “to aim for” or “to intend”.
• Wudu: ablution, the washing of face, hands and arms, head and feet before prayer.
• Ghusl: the full body wash needed after major impurity.
• Niyyah: the intention made in the heart before an act of worship.
• Hadith: a report of the sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
• Sunnah: the way of the Prophet (peace be upon him), as recorded in the hadith.

What is the proof for Tayammum in the Quran and the Sunnah?

Tayammum is proved by a clear verse of the Quran and by authentic hadith.

Proof from the Quran

“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 and do not find water, then seek clean earth and wipe over your faces and hands with it. Indeed, Allah is ever Pardoning and Forgiving.” (Quran 4:43)

Proof from the Sunnah

1. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The earth has been made for me as a place of prayer and a means of purification.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
2. Ammar ibn Yasir reported that the Prophet taught him Tayammum by striking the earth once and wiping the face and hands. (Bukhari and Muslim)

When is Tayammum allowed?

Tayammum is allowed when water cannot be found or when a person cannot safely use the water available.

When water cannot be found

• After searching: the person has looked for water in the surrounding area and found none.
• Travelling: no water is available on the road.
• Camping: the place is far from any water source.

When water is there but cannot be used

• Illness: water may worsen the sickness or delay the healing of wounds or burns.
• Doctor’s advice: a doctor has advised the person not to use water.
• Extreme cold: the water is very cold, cannot be heated, and may cause illness.
• Limited supply: the water is needed for drinking or cooking.
• Physical inability: the person cannot use water and nobody is there to help.
• Fear of harm: dangerous animals or enemies are near the water, or getting it is risky.

Which materials can be used for Tayammum?

Clean natural earth, such as soil, sand, dust and stone, can be used for Tayammum.

Valid materials

• Soil or earth: clean ground soil.
• Sand: clean sand.
• Dust: clean dust on a surface.
• Stone or rock: natural stone, especially with dust on it.
• Clay: natural clay.
• Walls: walls made of earth or stone.

Invalid materials

• Metals: gold, silver, copper and similar things.
• Wood and plants: wood, leaves, grass.
• Cloth and paper: manufactured materials.
• Glass and plastic: they are not earth.
• Food items: they are not earth.
• Coal and ash: things that burn to ash.
• Polished surfaces: surfaces with no dust on them.

Conditions for the material

• Clean: it contains no impurity.
• Natural: it is not processed or manufactured.
• Dusty: some dust sticks to the hands when touched.
• Not used before: it has not already been used for Tayammum.

How is Tayammum performed?

Tayammum is performed by making the intention, striking clean earth with both palms, then wiping the face and hands.

What are the steps of Tayammum?

1. Make the niyyah: intend in the heart to perform Tayammum. It need not be said aloud.
2. Say “Bismillah”: this means “In the name of Allah”.
3. Strike the earth: place both palms on clean earth, sand or dust. The hadith of Ammar mentions one strike.
4. Blow off excess dust: blow gently on the hands so only a light layer remains.
5. Wipe the face: wipe the whole face with the palms, from forehead to chin.
6. Wipe the hands: wipe the right hand with the left, then the left hand with the right, up to the wrists. Include the spaces between the fingers.
7. Say the dua after Wudu: no special words are required, but this dua is good to say.

What are the common mistakes in Tayammum?

• No intention: the niyyah is left out.
• Missed parts: the whole face is not covered.
• Fingers: the spaces between the fingers are not wiped.
• Too much force: the earth is struck too hard.
• Wrong material: an invalid material is used.
• Too early: Tayammum is done before the prayer time starts (a view held by some scholars).

What makes Tayammum invalid?

Tayammum becomes invalid when something breaks Wudu, when water is found, or when the excuse ends.

Things that break Wudu

• Passing gas: breaks both Wudu and Tayammum.
• Using the toilet: urinating or defecating.
• Deep sleep: sleep in which the person is not aware.
• Unconsciousness: fainting or loss of senses.
• Touching the private parts directly: counted by many scholars.
• Bleeding or vomiting: counted by some scholars only.

Finding water

• Before prayer: if Tayammum was done because of lack of water, finding water makes it invalid.
• Able to use water: the person can now use water that was out of reach before.

End of the excuse

• Recovery: the person recovers from the illness.
• Healing: the wound heals.
• Weather: the extreme cold passes.
• Any other excuse: the reason for not using water no longer exists.

Is one Tayammum enough for many prayers?

• First view: some scholars say a new Tayammum is needed for each obligatory prayer.
• Second view: other scholars say it stays valid for several prayers until something invalidates it.

How is Tayammum different from Wudu?

Wudu is the washing of body parts with water before prayer. Tayammum is the wiping of face and hands with clean earth when water cannot be used.

What do Wudu and Tayammum have in common?

• Intention: both need niyyah.
• Purpose: both are forms of purification.
• Permission: both allow a person to pray and read the Quran.
• Invalidity: both can be broken by certain things.

What are the differences between Wudu and Tayammum?

What are the special rulings on Tayammum?

Special rulings explain Tayammum for bandages, travel and the two kinds of impurity.

Bandages and casts

• Uncovered parts: perform Wudu normally for them.
• Covered part: wipe over the bandage or cast.
• If wiping causes harm: Tayammum can be used for that part.

Travelling

• Look at each stop: search for water.
• Ask companions: find out if anyone has water.
• Check for signs: green plants may show that water is near.
• Search first: perform Tayammum only after a reasonable search.

Minor and major impurity

• Minor impurity: needs Wudu, and Tayammum can replace it.
• Major impurity: needs Ghusl, and Tayammum can replace it.
• Method: it is the same in both cases.

What are the benefits of Tayammum?

Tayammum shows Allah’s mercy and keeps a Muslim praying on time even in hardship.

• Ease and mercy: Allah gives an alternative and does not burden a soul beyond what it can bear.
• Continuous worship: a Muslim does not miss prayer for lack of water.
• Health: it protects a sick person from harm caused by water.
• Saving water: it helps where water is scarce.
• Cleanliness: it teaches care for both body and spirit.
• Respect for nature: it teaches us to value the earth and its limits.

Evaluation

1. What is Tayammum and when is it allowed?
2. Describe the method of performing Tayammum step by step.
3. Name four materials that can be used for Tayammum.
4. State three things that make Tayammum invalid.
5. State three differences between Tayammum and Wudu.

Assignment

Write a short guide for a classmate on Tayammum. Include four reasons for performing it when water is available, four invalid materials, what to do when a bandage covers a part washed in Wudu, and three benefits.