If a patient is in a state of major ritual impurity and performs dry ablution with clean earth for it, is the ablution for prayer obligatory for the remaining prayers? And is it also the case for one who lacks water and is in a state of major ritual impurity, finding only enough water for his ablution for prayer?

The questioner : If a patient is in a state of major ritual impurity and performs dry ablution with clean earth for it, is the ablution for prayer obligatory for the remaining prayers? And is it also the case for one who lacks water and is in a state of major ritual impurity, finding only enough water for his ablution for prayer?

The Shaykh : This is an important question. It says: If the patient is unable to perform the full ritual bath, is the ablution for prayer obligatory? And if he also lacks water while in a state of major ritual impurity, finding only enough water for his ablution for prayer, does he perform the ablution for prayer?

The Shaykh : It appears so, because there is no doubt that the ablution for prayer alleviates the state of major ritual impurity. For this reason, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said regarding the man who sleeps in a state of major ritual impurity: Yes, if he performs the ablution for prayer. Also, the one in a state of major ritual impurity, if he intends to sit in the mosque, performs the ablution for prayer. So, if the ablution for prayer has an effect in alleviating the state of major ritual impurity, let him perform the ablution for prayer.