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As for sa'īd (earth), there are several opinions. One holds that dry ablution is permissible with any substance of the same nature as earth, even if none of it adheres to the hand, such as arsenic, lime, gypsum, or smooth rock. Substances that are not of this nature, such as metals, may not be used for dry ablution. This is the view of Abū Hanīfah. Muhammad agrees with him, but stipulates that the material be mu'abbir, on the basis of His words, “from it.”

Another opinion permits dry ablution with earth and whatever is connected to it, even trees, just as this view permits the use of stones and clods of earth, as does Abū Hanīfah. This is Mālik’s view. Two opinions are transmitted from him concerning snow. According to one, dry ablution with it is permissible; this is also the view of al-Awzā'ī and al-Thawrī.

Another opinion permits the use of soil and sand. This is one of Abū Yūsuf’s two views and one of the two opinions transmitted from Ahmad. It is also reported from Ahmad that sand may be used when soil is unavailable.

Another opinion holds that dry ablution is permissible only with ritually pure soil whose dust adheres to the hand. This is the view of Abū Yūsuf and al-Shāfi'ī, and the other opinion transmitted from Ahmad.