He says: If a person is not in a state of ritual purity and has water, but it is cold and he cannot use it, what should he do? If he performs dry ablution, is his prayer valid, or must he make it up when the water is warm or heated?
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The questioner : He says: If a person is not in a state of ritual purity and has water, but it is cold and he cannot use it, what should he do? And if he performs dry ablution, is his prayer valid, or must he make it up when the water is warm or heated?
The Shaykh : Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and I send prayers and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his Companions. This man says: He has cold water that he is unable to use. Is it permissible for him to perform dry ablution? The answer to this question is that we say: It is not permissible for him to perform dry ablution; rather, it is obligatory for him to be patient and use this cold water for the ablution, unless he fears harm that will befall him. In that case, there is no harm in his performing dry ablution. If he performs dry ablution and prays, he does not have to repeat the prayer, because he prayed as he was commanded. Whoever performs an act of worship in the manner he was commanded to do it, he does not have to repeat the prayer. As for merely being distressed by its coldness, this is not an excuse. Generally, and especially for those who are not in a country where it is the norm, in the days of winter, the water must be cold and a person is distressed by its coldness, but he does not fear harm. As for the one who fears harm, there is no harm in his performing dry ablution and praying, and he does not have to repeat it.
The questioner : If he waits, and that causes him to exceed the time of this obligatory prayer, does that not affect it?
The Shaykh : It is not permissible.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : It is not permissible for him to wait until the sun comes out and the water warms up.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : And he prays, because it is obligatory for him to perform the prayer in its time in the manner he was commanded. If he is able to use the water without harm, he uses it. And if he fears harm, he performs dry ablution.
The questioner : He performs tayammum.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The Shaykh : Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and I send prayers and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his Companions. This man says: He has cold water that he is unable to use. Is it permissible for him to perform dry ablution? The answer to this question is that we say: It is not permissible for him to perform dry ablution; rather, it is obligatory for him to be patient and use this cold water for the ablution, unless he fears harm that will befall him. In that case, there is no harm in his performing dry ablution. If he performs dry ablution and prays, he does not have to repeat the prayer, because he prayed as he was commanded. Whoever performs an act of worship in the manner he was commanded to do it, he does not have to repeat the prayer. As for merely being distressed by its coldness, this is not an excuse. Generally, and especially for those who are not in a country where it is the norm, in the days of winter, the water must be cold and a person is distressed by its coldness, but he does not fear harm. As for the one who fears harm, there is no harm in his performing dry ablution and praying, and he does not have to repeat it.
The questioner : If he waits, and that causes him to exceed the time of this obligatory prayer, does that not affect it?
The Shaykh : It is not permissible.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : It is not permissible for him to wait until the sun comes out and the water warms up.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : And he prays, because it is obligatory for him to perform the prayer in its time in the manner he was commanded. If he is able to use the water without harm, he uses it. And if he fears harm, he performs dry ablution.
The questioner : He performs tayammum.
The Shaykh : Yes.