Is it permissible to perform Tayammum using dust collected on the hands from striking objects like bedding, clothing, sacks, or barley?
Chapter on Tayammum
Al-Mughni
Book of Purification
Primary text
It is permissible to perform Tayammum using dust that adheres to the hands after striking materials such as bedding (lubd), cloth, a sack (jawaliq), a saddle blanket (bardha'ah), or barley. Imam Ahmad explicitly affirmed this for all such instances. His statements indicate that the presence of dust is the decisive factor, meaning that striking a rock, wall, animal, or anything else suffices if dust adheres to the hands, permitting Tayammum therewith. If no dust is present, it is not permissible. The basis for this is the verse commanding, "Then wipe your faces and your hands with it" (Quran 5:6). The preposition 'min' here implies partitive, requiring wiping with a portion of the dust. The Prophet's blowing on his hands did not remove the adhering dust, which is sufficient.
Supporting text
The evidence for this ruling includes the report from Ibn Umar that the Prophet, peace be upon him, struck his hands against a wall, wiped his face with them, then struck a second time and wiped his forearms, as narrated by Abu Dawud. Furthermore, Al-Athram narrated from Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, that he stated one should not perform Tayammum with snow, and if one finds nothing else, the saddle blanket or the horse's forelock should be used.