Most High, says: “And if you cannot find water, then resort to clean earth.” [al-Ma’idah 5:6] Thus, it is a substitute for the original means of purification, namely water.
The significance of our saying that it is “a substitute” is that it may not be used when the original means is available; otherwise, it takes its place. Yet this purification is invalidated when water becomes available. One must perform ghusl if the dry ablution was in place of ghusl, and wudu if it was in place of wudu. The evidence for this is: ….
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The lengthy hadith of Imran ibn Husayn, may Allah be pleased with him, in which the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said to the man who had become junub and had no water: “Use the clean earth, for it will suffice you.” Then, when water came, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Take this and pour it over yourself.” (1) This indicates that dry ablution is invalidated by the availability of water.
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The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Clean earth is the Muslim’s means of purification, even if he does not find water for ten years. Then, when he finds water, let him fear Allah and let it touch his skin, for that is better.” (2)