Question: Is wiping or tayammum permitted due to eczema on one’s hands?
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate,
Assalāmu ‘alaykum dear brother or sister in faith,
After applying a moisturizer or other occlusive substance to the affected areas of your skin, you may lightly wipe over them with a wet hand. [Shurunbulali, Nur al-Idah, pg. 26]
If wiping is also difficult, then avoiding the affected areas is permitted.
However, as your eczema affects your hands and they are the tool for ritual washing (wudu’), if it becomes impossible to avoid undue pain or harm to your skin, then you may perform tayammum.
If, upon consultation with a physician, it becomes apparent that your condition is chronic, wearing gloves and performing wudu’ would also be an option. [Shurunbulali, Nur al-Idah, pg. 56]
Allah, Most High, knows best.
He says, “And no hardship did He lay upon you in the Religion.” [Quran 22:78]
[Ustadha] Iman Badawi
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani