The Criterion for Tayammum
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Some young men go out to the desert, and this desert is not far away, not exceeding ten kilometers. When the time for prayer arrives, they perform tayammum and then pray. Is their action permissible, and what is the criterion for the permissibility of tayammum?
The criterion is that there be no water, and that it be difficult for the one seeking water. In my opinion, ten kilometers is not difficult, neither in terms of going to perform wudu, nor in terms of carrying water with them in a barrel or a small tank to perform wudu with.
The questioner: So they are obligated to return, O Shaykh?The Shaykh: They are obligated to go to perform wudu for the ten kilometers, which is ten minutes by car.
The questioner: Ten kilometers or more, O Shaykh? The Shaykh: The important thing is that if the water is near, they must perform wudu with water, either by carrying it or by going to it.
The criterion is that there be no water, and that it be difficult for the one seeking water. In my opinion, ten kilometers is not difficult, neither in terms of going to perform wudu, nor in terms of carrying water with them in a barrel or a small tank to perform wudu with.
The questioner: So they are obligated to return, O Shaykh?The Shaykh: They are obligated to go to perform wudu for the ten kilometers, which is ten minutes by car.
The questioner: Ten kilometers or more, O Shaykh? The Shaykh: The important thing is that if the water is near, they must perform wudu with water, either by carrying it or by going to it.