Q. During the holidays, I went on a 9 hour hike along with a group of friends. Five hours into the hike, it was time for Zuhr Salaah which was close to expiring. Each of us had a small bottle of water to keep us hydrated till the end of the hike. If we used the little water in our bottles for Wudhu, there was a great chance of us getting dehydrated which would make it difficult for us to end the hike. So, we performed Tayammum and performed Zuhr Salaah? Is our Salaah valid?
A. In the situation described above, if there was fear of becoming extremely thirsty by using the limited water reserved for drinking to perform ablution, then it was permissible to perform Tayammum (dry ablution) instead of using the limited water reserved for drinking purposes. Accordingly, in such a situation, the Salaah performed with Tayammum (dry ablution) is valid.
N.B. The Shariah gives preference to preservation of life over preservation of water in such a case as Wudhu can be substituted by Tayammum (Dry ablution). (Badaai-us-Sanaai’ 1/47)
Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
Mufti Ismaeel Bassa