Excuses Permitting Tayammum

Examples of Excuses That Permit Tayammum

1. The water is located at a distance of one mile or more from him.

2. He reasonably fears that using water will cause him to become ill, worsen his illness, or delay his recovery; or a skilled, trustworthy Muslim doctor informs him of this.

3. He reasonably fears that he would die if he used cold water.

4. He fears that he or someone else may suffer from thirst if the available water is insufficient.

5. There is no means available to draw the water, such as a bucket or a rope.

6. He fears an enemy who is preventing him from reaching the water, whether the enemy is a human being or a predatory animal.

7. If he reasonably fears that performing Wudu would cause him to miss the Eid prayer or the funeral prayer, since these prayers cannot be made up later.

However, if he reasonably fears that performing Wudu would cause the time of the prayer to end, or that he would miss the Friday prayer, Tayammum is not permissible. Rather, he should perform Wudu, make up the obligatory prayer, and pray Dhuhr instead of the Friday prayer.