stood in for its owner. When its owner comes, it passes out of the finder’s ownership and returns to its owner. What is established by a scriptural text or consensus does not require an analogous case against which to measure it. An analogous case is sought only for matters that we can know solely through analogy and comparison; these need to be assessed against a comparable case. As for what Allah and His Messenger have prescribed, we must follow what has been sent down to us from our Lord, without seeking an analogous case for it—although sound analogy does accord with the text. As Ahmad said, “Analogy requires treating earth like water.”

According to this correct view, a person may perform dry ablution before the prayer time begins if he wishes, and pray with it until he enters a state of ritual impurity or becomes able to use water. If he performs dry ablution for a voluntary prayer, he may use it for an obligatory prayer. He may also use a single dry ablution for two obligatory prayers and to make up missed prayers. Those who hold the other view have cited reports transmitted from some of the Companions, but these are weak and not established. Even if they were established, none would constitute proof.

If someone says, “This is purification allowed out of necessity, so its use must be limited to what is needed,” the reply is: “Yes, but a person needs to remain continually in a state of purity. He therefore purifies himself before the prayer time begins, for he needs an increase in reward.”

For this reason, Muslims agree that one may offer voluntary prayers with dry ablution. It is established in the two Sahīh collections that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, performed dry ablution to return a greeting while not travelling, and said:

“I disliked remembering Allah except in a state of purity.”

This shows that dry ablution is sometimes recommended and sometimes obligatory. That is, a person may perform dry ablution at a time when he is not obliged to do so, even though it is a prerequisite for prayer. And dry ablution