Is it permissible for a worker outside the city limits, such as a farmer or hunter, who cannot carry water for ablution and faces missing his need or his work to perform Tayammum if prayer time enters and no water is available?

Chapter on Tayammum

Al-Mughni

Book of Purification

Book 2 · Issue 1 · Bab 10

Open in Qurani

Primary text

It is permissible for such a person, classified as a traveler, to pray using Tayammum without needing to repeat the prayer afterward. This is because the situation resembles traveling to another village. The ruling applies because the person is engaged in necessary work (like plowing, harvesting, gathering wood, or hunting) that makes carrying water for purification impractical, and returning for water would result in missing his necessary task.

Supporting text

It is arguable that repeating the prayer is necessary because the individual is within the land associated with his city's jurisdiction, resembling a resident.