[Q 484] Tayammum When Short of Time for Salah

QUESTION:

Hope the honourable scholars are in the best of health and imaan?
If a person has a shortage of time for salah and he knows that performing Wudu would make him miss his salah, would he be able to perform Tayammum in this scenario and repeat the prayer later?

ANSWER:

If a person does not have Wudu (ablution) or Ghusl (ritual bath), and there is not enough time left to perform Wudu or Ghusl and then offer the prayer within its time, then in such a situation, it is permissible to perform Tayammum (dry ablution) and pray. However, afterwards, it will be Fard (obligatory) and Wajib (necessary) for him to perform Wudu and repeat that prayer.

Note: It should be clearly understood that if this delay occurred without a valid excuse, then the person will be sinful and repentance (Tawbah) will be necessary.

A‘la Hazrat رحمہ الله stated:

“فاستنار بحمداللہ تعالٰی ماجنح الیہ المحقق واتباعہ من قوۃ دلیل زفر بل دلیل ائمتنا جمیعا فی الروایۃ الاخری وکیفما کان لاینزل من ان یؤخذ بہ تحفظا علی فریضۃ الوقت ثم یؤمر بالاعادۃ عملا بالروایۃ المشھورۃ فی المذھب لاجرم ان قال فی الغنیۃ بعد ایراد ماقدمنا عن شمس الائمۃ وحینئذ فالاحتیاط ان یصلی بالتیمم فی الوقت ثم یتوضؤ ویعید لئخرج عن العھدتین بیقین”

Translation:
From this detailed discussion, all praise be to Allah Almighty, it becomes clear that the view leaned toward by the absolute scholars and their followers is supported by the strong reasoning of Imam Zufar, or rather by the reasoning of all our Imams in the other narration. In any case, at the very least, this opinion should be taken to ensure the preservation of the Fard Salah within its time. Afterwards, performing the prayer again (after Wudu) is commanded, in accordance with the well-known narration of our Madhhab (school of thought). After quoting from Shams al-A’immah, it is written in Ghuniyyah:
“In view of this, the precaution is that the person should pray with Tayammum within the time, and then later perform Wudu and repeat the prayer — so that he is freed from both obligations with certainty.”

(Fatawa Razawiyyah, Vol. 3, p. 463, Raza Foundation, Lahore)

Answered by: Usman Madani, Ask Mufti Scholar
Translated answer
Date: 20th October 2025