Q: Are women also obliged to perform Tayammum (dry ablution with clean earth) to offer Salah (Prayer) when there is no water, or is it specific to men?

A: All praise be to Allah Alone, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger, and his family and Companions. The basic principle in the rulings of Shari‘ah (Islamic Law) is that they apply for both men and women, except where an exception is mentioned, for Allah (Exalted be He) says (what means), O you who believe! When you intend to offer As-Salât (the prayer), wash your faces and your hands (forearms) up to the elbows, rub (by passing wet hands over) your heads, and (wash) your feet up to ankles. If you are in a state of Janâba (i.e. after a sexual discharge), purify yourselves (bathe your whole body). But if you are ill or on a journey, or any of you comes after answering the call of nature, or you have been in contact with women (i.e. sexual intercourse), and you find no water, then perform Tayammum with clean earth and rub therewith your faces and hands. Allâh does not want to place you in difficulty, but He wants to purify you, and to complete His Favour to you that you may be thankful. (Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5: 6). The order of Tayammum stated in the Ayah is general for both men and women. They have the same ruling in this regard; therefore, Tayammum is prescribed for women and men alike, according to the Ijma’ (consensus) of scholars. (Part No. 5; Page No. 340) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.