Tayammum

Tayammum (تيمم) is the Islamic act of dry ritual purification using purified (clean) sand or stone or mud, which may be performed in place of ritual washing (wudu or ghusl) if no clean water is readily available or if one is suffering from moisture-induced skin inflammation or scaling or hardship. Tayammum (تيمم) is an Arabic word that means an aim or purpose. Tayammum is derived from "amma," meaning 'to repair.' In Islamic Law, Tayammum meaning to wipe the face and hands of a person with the purpose of purification and providing oneself to pray and by Aiming for or exploring soil, purified sand, or dust. "Oh you who believe! When you intend to offer As-Salat (the prayer), wash your faces and your hands (forearms) up to the elbows, rub (by passing wet hands over) your heads, and (wash) your feet up to ankles. If you are in a state of Janaba (i.e. after a sexual discharge), purify yourselves (bathe your whole body). But if you are ill or on a journey, or any of you comes after answering the call of nature, or you have been in contact with women (i.e. sexual intercourse), and you find no water, then perform tayammum with clean earth and rub therewith your faces and hands. Allah does not want to place you in difficulty, but He wants to purify you, and to complete His Favor to you that you may be thankful." In the following eight circumstances, one has to make Tayammum rather than Wudu (ablution) or ghusl (a ritual bath): when access to water is restricted or impractical when sufficient amounts of water for ritual washing are not available. when using the available water for wudu or ghusl will leave insufficient water for drinking and will put you and your dependents at risk of dying of thirst or illness. when obtaining water is hazardous or prohibitively expensive. when using water poses a health risk. when the water available is impure. when performing Wudu or Ghusl will take all or part of the time of prayer.