Q: Should a person who performs Tayammum (dry ablution with clean earth) wipe his hands and arms reaching his elbows or just his wrists? How many prayers can be offered after performing Tayammum, and how many times must a person strike the ground?

A: All praise be to Allah Alone, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger, and his family and Companions. A person who performs Tayammum should wipe the back of each palm with the other, starting from the tips of the fingers to the joint connecting the palm to the forearm; the wrist joint is included in the wiping but not up to the elbows. Furthermore, he is allowed to perform Salah (prayer) with his Tayammum as long as there is no water, and he has not nullified his Wudu’ (ablution) in any way. It is preferable in Tayammum that a person strikes the ground once with his hands, then wipe with them his face and palms, due to what is authentically narrated on the authority of `Ammar (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “It would have been sufficient for you to strike the ground with your hands, then to wipe with them your face and (the back of your) palms.” May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.