The Story Behind Tayammum

A Necklace was lost. Everybody started searching for it. They were on a journey and they did not have any water left. The necklace belonged to the wife of Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم , mother of the believers Aisha رضي الله عنها. Aisha رضي الله عنها narrates this in Sahih Bukhari:

We set out with Allah’s Apostle (صلى الله عليه وسلم) on one of his journeys till we reached Al-Baida’ or Dhatul-Jaish, a necklace of mine was broken (and lost). Allah’s Apostle (صلى الله عليه وسلم) stayed there to search for it, and so did the people along with him. There was no water at that place, so the people went to Abu- Bakr As-Siddiq and said: “Don’t you see what ‘Aisha has done? She has made Allah’s Apostle and the people stay where there is no water and they have no water with them.” Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه came while Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم  was sleeping with his head on my thigh, He said, to me: “You have detained Allah’s Apostle (  صلى الله عليه وسلم) and the people where there is no water and they have no water with them.”

So he admonished me and said what Allah wished him to say and hit me on my flank with his hand. Nothing prevented me from moving (because of pain) but the position of Allah’s Apostle on my thigh. Allah’s Apostle got up when dawn broke and there was no water. So Allah revealed the Divine Verses of Tayammum. So they all performed Tayammum. Usaid bin Hudair said, “O the family of Abu Bakr! This is not the first blessing of yours.” Then the camel on which I was riding was caused to move from its place and the necklace was found beneath it. [Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 7, Number 330]

What apparently seemed trouble was a blessing in reality. Happens a lot to us.  Allah Ta’ala says:

 وَعَسَىٰ أَن تَكْرَهُوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ وَعَسَىٰ أَن تُحِبُّوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَّكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ

“..and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know.” [Al-Baqarah: 216]

These verses were revealed in Quran:

“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 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]

So, Tayammum replaces ablution or ghusl under specific circumstances. It is a blessing from Allah Ta’ala.

Narrated Jabir bin ‘Abdullah رضي الله عنه The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم  said: “I have been given five things which were not given to any one else before me.

1. Allah made me victorious by awe, (by His frightening my enemies) for a distance of one month’s journey.

2. The earth has been made for me (and for my followers) a place for praying and a thing to perform Tayammum, therefore anyone of my followers can pray wherever the time of a prayer is due.

3. The booty has been made Halal (lawful) for me yet it was not lawful for anyone else before me.

4. I have been given the right of intercession (on the Day of Resurrection).

5. Every Prophet used to be sent to his nation only but I have been sent to all mankind. [Bukhari,Volume 1, Book 7, Number 331]

Lesson:

·         There is no excuse for Prayers even though one doesn’t have water; they are supposed to perform Tayammum and Pray.

·         Allah is merciful towards mankind and doesn’t order us to do something that is beyond our limits. Like if one doesn’t have Water nearby he is not supposed to search for the water whole day, He can perform Tayammum.

·         Islam is the most natural religion known as Deen-ul-Fitrah (the natural religion of Man) and it has substitute for every problem we face. Like when the necklace got lost and the verses of Tayammum were revealed Usaid ibn Huzhair said to Aisha رضي الله عنها: “May Allah give you good recompense. Allah never reveals an order with respect to you except that He removes by it some hardship and gives the Muslims some benefit.” [Bukhari Volume 1, Book 7, Number 332]

·         Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم  is the best example to follow. He was best towards his wives. When the necklace got lost He صلى الله عليه وسلم stayed there and search for it and didn’t say anything to Aisha رضي الله عنها.

“The most perfect Muslim in the matter of faith is one who has an excellent behavior; and the best among you are those who behave best towards their wives.” (Tirmizi)

Q)        On what substances or things can Tayammum be performed? 

A)       Earth (fine or compacted).
Sand.
Lump of clay.
Pebbles or stone – other than mineral or precious stones.

It is not permissible to do Tayammum on something for which the term earth cannot be applied, even if it originates from it, such as ashes without earth, plants, and some minerals such as gold and silver.

Tayammum should be done on earth, sand, lump of clay or stone provided that each one of these should be Tahir and not usurped.  The recommended precaution is that if earth is available Tayammum should not be performed on anything else.  If earth is not available, then it can be performed on sand or a lump of clay, and in absence of these on a stone.

• Make Niyyah, or the intention to perform Tayammum.
• Place your both hands on the ground or the stone.
• Lift your hands and ensure that there is no dust on your palm surface by hitting against your hands together.
• Rub your face with both your hands. The face encompasses the right ear to the left, and the top of the forehead to the bottom of the chin.
• Repeat steps 4 and 5.
• Rub your arms. Use your left hand to rub your right arm from the fingers to the elbow, and back along the inner arm to the hand. Do the same with the other arm using the right hand.

The validity of Tayammum depends on certain conditions.

1. Niyyah.

Make intention of performing tayammum instead of wudu or ghusl.

2.         Continuity (muwalat).

The acts of tayammum must follow each other.

3.         Order (tartibi).

All the acts must be done in the order set down.

Make Niyyah, or the intention to perform Tayammum.
Place your both hands on the ground or the stone.
Lift your hands and ensure that there is no dust on your palm surface by hitting against your hands together.
Rub your face with both your hands. The face encompasses the right ear to the left, and the top of the forehead to the bottom of the chin.
Repeat steps 4 and 5.
Rub your arms. Use your left hand to rub your right arm from the fingers to the elbow, and back along the inner arm to the hand. Do the same with the other arm using the right hand.

If you leave out even a small part of your forehead or the back of your hands in tayammum intentionally or forgetfully, or even due to ignorance, your tayammum will be void. You should be careful but not be overly particular, if it can be adequately assumed that the forehead and the backs of the hands have been wiped it would be sufficient