How To Wipe in at-Tayammum - Following the Correct Sequence (Part 18)

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2-That one follows the order of at-Tayammum in minor impurities. Al-‘Uthaymeen explains that the order is to begin by wiping over the face then the left palm over the outer part of the right hand and then the right palm over the outer part of the left hand.

The evidence for this includes the following:

-The Statement of the Most High, “Tayammum with clean earth and rub therewith your faces and hands” [al-Maa’idah 5:6]

                Here we have proof that one must start with the face first.

-The Hadeeth, “Begin with what Allaah began with” [Reported by an-Nasaa’ee (3968), ad-Daaraqutnee (2/254)]

A- Sequence also means that wiping over the face and then the hands doesn’t have a big gap in between. The gap between each limbs is the time it would take to dry if it was washed with water – as preceded the limbs in Wudhoo must be washed in sequence before the previous limb has dried naturally otherwise the sequence would be broken.

The same time span applies here – that the person must follow the sequence with there being a big gap.

The Hanbalees argued that the ruling of something takes the same ruling (at-Tayammum) of that which it has replaced (al-Wudhoo). Therefore, just as a big gap in Wudhoo isn’t allowed, then a big gap in at-Tayammum isn’t allowed either.

However, having a gap in at-Tayammum for major impurities is permitted, as having a gap in major impurities, or having a particular sequence isn’t a condition for them.

However, the correct opinion with al-Uthaymeen is that sequence is a condition in both minor and major forms of purification. This is based on the Hadeeth of ‘Ammaar above. As for making Qiyaas with water in minor and major forms of impurity, then this Qiyaas is making an analogy with two separate issues altogether – because water is a purification for the whole body in major impurities but not in at-Tayammum.

So what appears to be correct is that one must follow the sequence and the gap between wiping the face and the hands applies to both forms of impurities, because that’s the form given and there is only one from at-Tayammum for both forms of impurities.

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And Allaah Knows best.