What is the ruling on performing dry ablution instead of bathing to lift a state of major ritual impurity during very cold weather? I sometimes wake up before the Fajr prayer and realize that I experienced a wet dream during my sleep; at other times, this happens when I wake up in the middle of the night. On some occasions, the weather is so cold that I am unable to bathe, so I perform dry ablution instead and then pray. As mentioned above, I do not bathe in such cold weather out of fear of falling ill. Is this permissible and is my prayer valid? I kindly request an answer.

It is established in Islamic law that one of the conditions for the validity of prayer is purification from both minor and major ritual impurity, in accordance with the words of Allah Almighty, “O you who believe! When you rise to perform the prayer, wash your faces and your hands up to the elbows, wipe your heads, and wash your feet up to the ankles. And if you are in a state of major impurity, then purify yourselves” (Quran, 5:6).

Based on this, the inquirer is required to purify himself from major ritual impurity (janabah) before performing the prayer. However, a person may encounter a legitimate excuse that prevents him from fulfilling this condition, such as being ill and unable to use water, or traveling and unable to perform purification. In such cases, where a valid excuse prevents purification, Islamic law permits dry ablution (tayammum) as a substitute.

 

The ruling

If the inquirer has a genuine excuse and is unable to use water for purification, and he is certain that using water would harm him, or if this has been confirmed by medical experts, then it is permissible for him to perform dry ablution instead of using water. This form of purification, recognized by Islamic law, renders his prayer valid and is supported by the narration which relates that ‘Amr ibn al-‘As (may Allah be pleased with him) prayed after performing dry ablution when he feared for his life due to using water; the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) approved of his action.

And Allah Almighty knows best.