Question
(#061)
Can you please clarify the following:
- It is not permissible to make Tayammum on the following items if they do not have thick dust on them:
- Wood
- Metals
- Glass
- Anything that burns to ash (eg. Paper, cloth and wood)
- Anything that melts or rots (Plastic or food)
- Items on which Tayammum is permissible
Answer
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته
حامدا و مصليا و مسلما
Muhtaram
We received your query regarding different aspects relating to Tayammum.
Our response is as follows:
It is only permissible to make Tayammum with soil or any other substances which have the same qualities as of soil such as sand, limestone, lime, antimony etc. Therefore, one will only be permitted to perform Tayammum on any of the above substances which you have mentioned such as metal, glass, wood, paper, plastic, gold, silver, tin, wood etc if they have a layer of soil or that which has the same quality as soil such as dust covering them.
Matter which neither burns in fire nor melts possesses the qualities of earth and Tayammum with it will be permissible. Tayammum is not permissible on that which burns and turns into ash or melts. In the same way, Tayammum with ash is not permissible.
If there is no dust whatsoever on a stone, even then Tayammum will be permissible. In fact, even if it is thoroughly washed with water, Tayammum will be permissible. It is not necessary for the dust to come on the hands. Similarly, Tayammum on a baked brick is permissible irrespective of whether there is dust on it or not.
و يجوز التيمم عند ابى خنيفة و محمد بكل ما كان من جنس الارض كالتراب و الرمل و الحجر و الجص و النورة و الكحل و الزرنيخ و قال ابو يوسف رحمه الله تعالى لا يجوز الا بالتراب و الرمل خاصة…غير منطبع و لا مترمد
(لباب-ج1-ص53)
بمطهر من جنس الارض وان لم يكن عليه نقع اي غبار-
(رد المحتار-1ج-ص236)
محيط-1ج-ص307-310
فتاوى هندية-ج1-ص26
البحر الراِئق-ج1-ص148
والله تعالى اعلم و علمه اتم و احكم
Muhammad Irshad Motara
15th Rabee’ul Awwal 1434
27th January 2013
