and each prophet was sent only to his own people, whereas I have been sent to all mankind.” In Sahīh Muslim, Hudhayfa reports that he, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“We have been favoured over other people in three respects: our rows have been made like the rows of the angels; the earth has been made a place of prayer for us; and its soil has been made a means of purification for us.”

He, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, thus made clear that Allah has made the earth a means of purification for his nation, just as He has made water a means of purification.

Abū Dharr reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Clean earth is a Muslim’s means of purification, even if he finds no water for ten years. But when you find water, let it touch your skin, for that is better.”

Al-Tirmidhī said, “This is a good and authentic hadith.” Thus, he stated that Allah has made clean earth a Muslim’s means of purification, even if he finds no water for ten years. Whoever says that earth does not purify a person from ritual impurity has therefore contradicted the Quran and the Sunnah. Since it purifies a person from ritual impurity, that impurity cannot remain when Allah has purified Muslims of it through dry ablution.

Dry ablution therefore removes ritual impurity and purifies the person who performs it. However, this removal is temporary, lasting until the person can use water. Since dry ablution substitutes for water, it purifies so long as water remains unavailable. Similarly, the finder of a lost article owns it so long as its owner has not come to him. Its possessor’s ownership is temporary, lasting until the owner appears, for he