Tayammum

Now it may seem strange at first to think of cleaning your body with dust,

but other animals who don't wear clothes know a thing or two about keeping clean.

Lots of them will happily roll around on the ground

to clean off tiny bugs and things that might be clinging to their skin.

Even elephants like a good dust bath,

though I think some might prefer to bathe in mud.

But a human doesn't need as much dust to make Tayammum as an elephant for a dust bath,

and some muslims are happy to use just a hint of clean dust,

such as that fine film of dust that might be lying on a prayer mat.

But then again, the prayer mat is made of dust,

just as we are,

though in our case that dust is mingled with water.

As well as the tiny grains of sand or earth,

Tayammum can also be made using a block of stone or a slab of rock,

and that was a recognised way of making Tayammum at the time of the Messenger,

and muslims will still make Tayammum in the same way today.

As with the Sala and so many other important things in the muslim way of life,

everything begins with the Niyya,

the recognition of the intention to do our best while making this Tayammum.

Then the Bismillah is spoken to begin.

Then the stone or earth is wiped or touched by the hands,

and some will tap the earth three times,

and some will only use the palms of their hands

and then shake the dust off.

Then the hands are rubbed together.

Then the earth is touched again

before the hands gently rub the face and neck.

Then the earth is touched again,

and the left hand is passed over the right hand,

and the right hand passed over the left, in the same way,

and some consider it a requirement to continue this movement up to the elbow,

with the forearms bare for this,

just as they would be if you were using water.

And that is the Tayammum completed,

though of course many muslims will add a Shahada

and Du'a prayers of their liking.

And the Tayammum may be quick and easy,

but it is expected to be made unneccesary

by making the Ghusl or Wudhu that is required as quickly as possible.

So Tayammum is made right before the Sala,

when it is clear that there is no chance

of being able to use water.

And if it is going to be needed

for one prayer after another,

Tayammum has to be made before each individual Sala.

And so,

in earth and water,

we see two parts of God's Creation

used to purify us and our surroundings.

And recognising this fact

means that part of the muslim way of life

is making sure that our earth and water

don't become polluted through our forgetfulness and ingratitude.