How to Perform Tayammum Step by Step

Learn how to perform tayammum correctly according to the Qur'an and authentic Sunnah. Discover the step-by-step method, the correct order, and what to recite after tayammum.

All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad ﷺ is His slave and Messenger.

Tayammum is the Islamic dry purification that Allah has prescribed as a mercy for His servants when clean water is unavailable or when using water would cause harm due to illness or other valid reasons. It serves as a substitute for wudu or ghusl until water becomes available or the excuse no longer exists.

Allah ﷻ says:

"But if you are ill or on a journey, or one of you comes from relieving himself, or you have had contact with women and find no water, then perform Tayammum with clean earth and wipe over your faces and your hands with it."

Qur'an, Surah Al-Ma'idah 5:6

The authentic method of performing tayammum, based upon the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ, is simple and consists of the following steps:

1. Say "Bismillah"

Begin by saying:

بِسْمِ اللهِ

Bismillāh

Meaning: "In the Name of Allah."

Have the intention in your heart to purify yourself for prayer. The intention is not spoken aloud.

2. Strike the ground once with both palms

Lightly strike clean earth, dust, sand, stone, or any natural surface of the earth with both palms one time.

3. Wipe the back of the hands

Wipe the back of the right hand using the palm of the left hand, then wipe the back of the left hand using the palm of the right hand.

4. Wipe the face

Using both hands, wipe the entire face once.

5. Recite the supplication after purification

After completing tayammum, it is recommended to recite the same supplications that are prescribed after wudu.

أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ

Ashhadu an lā ilāha illallāhu waḥdahu lā sharīka lah, wa ashhadu anna Muḥammadan ʿabduhu wa rasūluh.

Meaning: "I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah alone with no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger."

It is also recommended to say:

اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْنِي مِنَ التَّوَّابِينَ وَاجْعَلْنِي مِنَ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ

Allāhumma-jʿalnī mina-t-tawwābīn, wajʿalnī mina-l-mutaṭahhirīn.

Meaning: "O Allah, make me among those who constantly repent and make me among those who purify themselves."

Should the Hands or Face Be Wiped First?

The authentic narration of ‘Ammar ibn Yasir (رضي الله عنه) recorded by Sahih al-Bukhari (347) shows that the Prophet ﷺ wiped the backs of his hands before wiping his face.

‘Ammar ibn Yasir (رضي الله عنه) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:

"It would have been sufficient for you to do this."

Then he struck the ground with his palms, dusted them off, wiped the back of each hand with the other, then wiped his face.

Sahih al-Bukhari, 347; Sunan Abu Dawud, 317

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (رحمه الله) said:

"The narration of al-Bukhari clearly shows that the backs of the hands are wiped before the face."

Majmu' al-Fatawa, 21/423-425

Summary of Tayammum

The Sunnah method of tayammum consists of:

Say Bismillah.
Strike the ground once with both palms.
Wipe the back of the right hand with the left palm.
Wipe the back of the left hand with the right palm.
Wipe the face once.
Recite the supplications prescribed after wudu.

This simple method is established by authentic narrations and is sufficient until water becomes available or the excuse preventing the use of water is removed.

And Allah knows best.