While we were on a journey with the Prophet he led the people in the prayer, and when he turned away after the prayer he saw a man apart who had not prayed along with the people. He asked him what had prevented him from praying along with the company, and when the man replied that he was affected by seminal defilement and had no water, he said, “Make use of earth, for it is enough for you.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)
Purification Through Earth
This narration from Mishkat al-Masabih 527 establishes the fundamental Islamic ruling of tayammum (dry ablution) as a valid substitute for ritual purification when water is unavailable or its use would cause harm.
Scholarly Commentary
The Prophet's instruction "Make use of earth, for it is enough for you" demonstrates that tayammum serves as a complete purification method in specific circumstances, removing the state of major ritual impurity (janabah).
Classical scholars emphasize that this concession reflects Islam's practicality and ease, ensuring worship remains accessible even during travel or hardship. The man's separation from congregational prayer shows his awareness of purity requirements, while the Prophet's guidance illustrates divine mercy.
Imam Nawawi comments that this hadith establishes tayammum as replacing both wudu (minor ablution) and ghusl (major ablution) when necessary, using pure earth or similar materials when water is unavailable or harmful to use.
Legal Implications
This narration forms the basis for detailed rulings in Islamic jurisprudence: the validity of tayammum with clean earth, its sufficiency for both prayer and Quran recitation, and its application during travel when water is scarce.
Scholars note that the phrase "it is enough for you" indicates tayammum's complete efficacy in such circumstances, requiring no subsequent repetition of prayers once water becomes available, though normal purification should resume when possible.