How Do We Perform Tayammum?

We begin with the intention, which is to intend in our hearts to perform Tayammum in order to draw closer to Allah, the Exalted. Then we begin the following actions:

First: We strike the ground once with the palms of both hands, as shown in Figure (7).

Figure (7): Striking the soil with the palms of both hands

In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.

“Then perform Tayammum with clean earth, and wipe your faces and your hands with it.”

Al-Ma'idah: 6

Second: We wipe the forehead and the two sides of the forehead with the palms of both hands, from the hairline to the eyebrows and the upper tip of the nose. The wiping is done from top to bottom, as shown in Figure (8).

Figure (8): Wiping the forehead from the hairline to the eyebrows and the upper tip of the nose

Third: We wipe the back of the right hand, from the wrist to the fingertips, using the palm of the left hand. The wiping is done from top to bottom, as shown in Figure (9).

Fourth: We wipe the back of the left hand, from the wrist to the fingertips, using the palm of the right hand. The wiping is done from top to bottom, as shown in Figure (10).

Issues Concerning Tayammum:

1. Striking the ground is obligatory; merely placing the hands on it is not sufficient.
2. It is not valid to perform Tayammum for an obligatory prayer before its time has begun.

An Issue Concerning Tayammum:

If we perform Tayammum for a prayer whose time has begun, and our Tayammum is not invalidated and the excuse for which we performed it does not cease before the time of another prayer begins, we may pray using that same Tayammum, provided that we know the excuse will not cease.

Two Issues Concerning Tayammum:

1. Whoever is required to perform Ghusl but is unable to use water must perform Tayammum in its place, and all the relevant religious rulings apply to it.
2. If someone performs Tayammum in place of Ghusl and then experiences a minor ritual impurity, then, as a precaution, they should perform Tayammum again in place of Ghusl and then perform Wudu if possible. Otherwise, they should perform Tayammum a second time in place of Wudu.