ill or travelling and unable to find water, to perform dry ablution. This is the position of the majority of both the later and earlier generations.

Dry ablution for someone in a state of major ritual impurity is established in authentic and good hadiths, including the hadith of Ammār ibn Yāsir—may Allah be pleased with them both—recorded in the two Sahīh collections; the hadith of Imrān ibn Husayn—may Allah be pleased with him—recorded by al-Bukhārī; and the reports concerning Abū Dharr, Amr ibn al-Ās, and the man with a head wound—may Allah be pleased with them—recorded in the Sunan collections. Thus, there are two verses from the Book of Allah and five hadiths from the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.

Ibn Mas‘ūd’s debate with Abū Mūsā al-Ash‘arī on this matter—may Allah be pleased with them both—is well known. There are many similar examples reported from the Companions. When you know these examples, you will appreciate the evidence of the Book and the Sunnah in relation to a man of great standing, giving effect to His words:

“If you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger.”

This dispute must be referred only to Allah and the infallible Messenger who conveys Allah’s message, who does not speak from his own desire—it is nothing but revelation revealed—and who is the intermediary between Allah and His servants.