Is it permissible to perform ablution (wudu') without ritual bathing (ghusl) from major ritual impurity (janabah) in the event of insufficient water for bathing and the absence of earth for tayammum?
If janābah (ritual impurity requiring a full body wash) occurs, ghusl (the ritual bath) becomes obligatory. If water is unavailable or one is unable to use it due to illness, a Muslim transitions to tayammum (dry ablution), as Allah Almighty says: "And if you are in a state of janābah, then purify yourselves. But if you are ill or on a journey, or one of you comes from the excretory relief, or you have touched women, and you do not find water, then perform tayammum with clean earth and wipe over your faces and hands with it."
If a Muslim is prevented from using the water at home, he must search for water through other means, such as purchasing it or requesting it from someone who would not refuse to give it. If, after searching and striving, he does not find water, then tayammum is permissible for him, and wuḍūʾ (minor ablution) is not sufficient in place of ghusl in this situation.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/193456