Is it prescribed to perform Tayammum (dry ablution) if water is unavailable before entering Ihram?
Chapter on Mentioning Ihram
Al-Mughni
Book of Hajj
Primary text
Performing Tayammum is not recommended if water is unavailable before intending Ihram. This is because Ghusl before Ihram is a Sunnah (recommended act), and Tayammum is not legislated to replace a Sunnah, unlike the mandatory Ghusl required for prayer, which Tayammum can substitute. The purpose of the Sunnah Ghusl is related to cleanliness and removing body odor, which Tayammum does not achieve; rather, it can increase dishevelment. This is evidenced by the fact that Tayammum is not renewed for subsequent Sunnah ghusls, such as for Jumu'ah prayer.
Supporting text
Al-Qadi holds the opinion that Tayammum should be performed because the Ghusl before Ihram is a legitimate purification, thus Tayammum substitutes it, similar to an obligatory purification.