In the winter season, due to the severe cold in the Fajr prayer, one is unable to perform wudu with water. Is it permissible for him to perform tayammum with soil instead of water?

The questioner : We conclude this session, O honorable Shaykh, with a question from a noble person from Turkey. He says: In the winter season, O honorable Shaykh, due to the severe cold in our neighborhood at Fajr, I am unable to perform wudu with water for the Fajr prayer. Is it permissible for me to use soil for tayammum instead of water? I ask for your guidance. May Allah reward you.

The Shaykh : It is obligatory for you to heat the water.

The questioner : Yes.

The Shaykh : Because you are in a town and you can heat it, and it is not permissible for you to resort to tayammum while it is possible to heat it, because you have access to water and there is no harm to you in using it after heating it. As for if you do not heat it, the general rule is that those who live in cold regions can tolerate cold water and it does not harm them. In this case, it is not permissible for you to perform tayammum, and it is not permissible for a person to be negligent in these matters and seek a dispensation except in the situation in which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) granted a dispensation.

The questioner : May Allah reward you, O honorable Shaykh, and may Allah bless you and your knowledge, and benefit the Muslims through you.
O my brothers.