Commentary on the Hadith Concerning Making Tayammum from Janabaah

Praise be to Allah,

Narrated ‘Imraan ibn Husain al-Khuzaa’ee (R.A): Allaah’s Messenger (PBUH) saw a person sitting aloof and not offering Salaat with the people. He asked him, “O so-and-so! What prevented you from offering the Salaat with the people?” He replied, “O Allaah‟s Messenger! I am Junub and there is no water.” The Prophet (PBUH) said, “Perform Tayammum with clean earth and that will be sufficient for you.”[i]

Important Points Derived from the Hadeeth:

1. At-Tayammum (dry ablution) takes the place of Ghusl – in the absence of water –as a means of purification from the state of major sexual impurity.

2. At-Tayammum should not be resorted to except (a) in the absence of water, or (b) when the use of water would cause harm to the person…

3. It is not proper or fitting when one sees someone who has fallen short in his deeds [obligations or responsibilities], to immediately scold him and blame him and treat him harshly for what he has done, until first ascertaining the cause or reason for such. Perhaps, he may have a legitimate excuse, and you would be blaming him [unfairly].

4. The permissibility of making ijtihaad (striving to make a judgment or reach a conclusion) in the issues of knowledge, even in the presence of the Prophet (PBUH). This companion (PBUH) thought that the one who is junub (in a state of major sexual impurity) could not pray until he finds water (for Ghusl). He mistakenly thought that the verse of at-Tayammum was limited in its application to the state of minor impurity [which only requires ablution].

5. Travelling does not cancel the prayer in the congregation.

6. The Tayammum is a substitute for water, and it takes its place in everything until water is found.

7. The permissibility for the person who does not have water is to make Tayammum and pray until he finds water, and he does not have to repeat the prayer.

8. The Prophet (PBUH) cares for his companions.

Allah Knows Best.

Copied from Sources:

Arousing the Intellects with the Explanation of Umdatul Ahkaam. The Book Of At-Taharaah by Allama Sheikh Salih Ibn Uthaymeen (May Allah have mercy on him). page  97

Tayseer al-Allaam Sharh Umdatul-Ahkaam by Shaykh Abdullah ibn Abdur – Rahmaan Aal Bassaam. Page 73

[i] Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 1, Book 7, Hadeeth Number 348, p. 236-237