What are the required characteristics of the pure material used for Tayammum?
Chapter on Tayammum
Al-Mughni
Book of Purification
Primary text
Tayammum is only permissible using pure dust that adheres to the hands. This is established by the Divine command: "Then seek clean earth and wipe your faces and your hands with it" (Quran 5:6). Ibn Abbas interpreted the 'pure earth' (sa'idan tayyiban) as the soil of cultivated land. Purity (Tayyib) means that the material must be pure. This view is held by Al-Shafi'i, Ishaq, Abu Yusuf, and Dawud.
Supporting text
The dominant evidence indicates that the wiping action necessitates material that leaves residue, meaning dust that adheres to the hands. A narration from Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) states that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "I have been given what no prophet before me was given; the dust has been made pure for me as a means of purification." Furthermore, a narration from Hudhayfah states, "The earth has been made a place of prostration and its dust a means of purification," specifically reserving the quality of purification for the dust.