23rd April 2020
السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته
Question: If an old man has been diagnosed with COVID-19 symptoms (along with suffering from several other illnesses) and was asked to isolate and not to come out of his room if there’s nobody there to give him water then can he perform tayammum instead?
الجواب حامداً و مصلياً
In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
Thank you for your question. In reference to your query, COVID-19 itself is not a concession for tayammum but rather to do with whether water is accessible to the patient or not. If he is able to leave the room to for instance use the toilet, to shower or to wash his hands before and after eating, especially as we have been advised to wash our hands more often during this pandemic, and water is not proven to be harmful to him then he cannot perform tayammum. Performing wudhu becomes necessary especially times like this to helps us stay clean from dirt, germs etc.[1] It must be remembered that the purpose of isolation is so not to come in contact with people, not necessarily for not being able to use the bathroom or shower etc. They are allowed to relieve themselves and clean themselves generally, hence tayammum is not an option for them.
[Allāh Knows Best]
Written by: Apa Sajeda Reviewed by: Mufti Abdul Waheed
Attested by: Shaykh Mufti Saiful Islam
JKN Fatawa Department
[1]Fatawa Hindiyya. , Kitab Taharah, Baab Al-Tayyamum, Vol 1, Pg 28.
وَالْأَصْلُ أَنَّهُ مَتَى أَمْكَنَهُ اسْتِعْمَالُ الْمَاءِ مِنْ غَيْرِ لُحُوقِ ضَرَرٍ فِي نَفْسِهِ أَوْ مَالِهِ وَجَبَ اسْتِعْمَالُهُ
Fatawa Hindiyya. , Kitab Taharah, Baab Al-Tayyamum, Vol 1, Pg 27.
(وَمِنْهَا عَدَمُ الْقُدْرَةِ عَلَى الْمَاءِ) يَجُوزُ التَّيَمُّمُ لِمَنْ كَانَ بَعِيدًا مِنْ الْمَاءِ مِيلًا هُوَ الْمُخْتَارُ فِي الْمِقْدَارِ سَوَاءٌ كَانَ خَارِجَ الْمِصْرِ أَوْ فِيهِ وَهُوَ الصَّحِيحُ وَسَوَاءٌ كَانَ مُسَافِرًا أَوْ مُقِيمًا. هَكَذَا فِي التَّبْيِينِ لَا يَجُوزُ التَّيَمُّمُ لِعَدَمِ الْمَاءِ فِي الْمِصْرِ وَكَذَا الْقُرَى الَّتِي لَا يُفَارِقُهَا أَهْلُهَا أَوْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ نَهَارًا وَذُكِرَ عَنْ السُّلَمِيُّ جَوَازُ ذَلِكَ وَالصَّحِيحُ عَدَمُ الْجَوَازِ وَالْخِلَافُ بَعْدَ الطَّلَبِ، وَأَمَّا قَبْلَهُ فَلَا يَجُوزُ إجْمَاعًا
Al-Haddadi, Al- Jawharatun Nayirah, Kitab Taharah, Baab Al-Tayyamum., Vol , Pg 21.وَفِيهِ إشَارَةٌ إلَى أَنَّهُ لَا يَجُوزُ التَّيَمُّمُ لِعَدَمِ الْمَاءِ فِي الْمِصْرِ سِوَى الْمَوَاضِعِ الْمُسْتَثْنَاةِ وَهِيَ ثَلَاثَةٌ: خَوْفُ فَوْتِ صَلَاةِ الْجِنَازَةِ أَوْ صَلَاةِ الْعِيدِ، أَوْ خَوْفِ الْجُنُبِ مِنْ الْبَرْدِ وَعَنْ السُّلَمِيِّ جَوَازُ ذَلِكَ وَالصَّحِيحُ عَدَمُ الْجَوَازِ؛ لِأَنَّ الْمِصْرَ لَا يَخْلُو عَنْ الْمَاءِ