The Messenger of Allah ﷺ sent Usayd ibn Hudayr and some people with him to search the necklace lost by Aisha. The time of prayer came and they prayed without ablution. When they returned to the Prophet ﷺ and related the fact to him, the verse concerning tayammum was revealed. Ibn Nufayl added: Usayd said to her: May Allah have mercy upon you! Never has there been an occasion when you were beset with an unpleasant matter but Allah made the Muslims and you come out of that.  

بَعَثَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ أُسَيْدَ بْنَ حُضَيْرٍ وَأُنَاسًا مَعَهُ فِي طَلَبِ قِلاَدَةٍ أَضَلَّتْهَا عَائِشَةُ فَحَضَرَتِ الصَّلاَةُ فَصَلَّوْا بِغَيْرِ وُضُوءٍ فَأَتَوُا النَّبِيَّ ﷺ فَذَكَرُوا ذَلِكَ لَهُ فَأُنْزِلَتْ آيَةُ التَّيَمُّمِ زَادَ ابْنُ نُفَيْلٍ فَقَالَ لَهَا أُسَيْدُ بْنُ حُضَيْرٍ يَرْحَمُكِ اللَّهُ مَا نَزَلَ بِكِ أَمْرٌ تَكْرَهِينَهُ إِلاَّ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ وَلَكِ فِيهِ فَرَجًا  

They (the Companions of the Prophet) wiped with pure earth (their hands and face) to offer the dawn prayer in the company of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. They struck the ground with their palms and wiped their faces once. Then they repeated and struck the ground with their palms once again and wiped their arms completely up to the shoulders and up to the armpits with the inner side of their hands.  

أَنَّهُ كَانَ يُحَدِّثُ أَنَّهُمْ تَمَسَّحُوا وَهُمْ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ بِالصَّعِيدِ لِصَلاَةِ الْفَجْرِ فَضَرَبُوا بِأَكُفِّهِمُ الصَّعِيدَ ثُمَّ مَسَحُوا وُجُوهَهُمْ مَسْحَةً وَاحِدَةً ثُمَّ عَادُوا فَضَرَبُوا بِأَكُفِّهِمُ الصَّعِيدَ مَرَّةً أُخْرَى فَمَسَحُوا بِأَيْدِيهِمْ كُلِّهَا إِلَى الْمَنَاكِبِ وَالآبَاطِ مِنْ بُطُونِ أَيْدِيهِمْ  

The Muslims stood up and struck the earth with their palms, but did not get any earth (in their hands). He (Ibn Wahb) then narrated the rest of the tradition in like manner, but he did not mention the words "shoulders" and "armpits". Ibn al-Laith said: (They) wiped above the elbows.  

قَامَ الْمُسْلِمُونَ فَضَرَبُوا بِأَكُفِّهِمُ التُّرَابَ وَلَمْ يَقْبِضُوا مِنَ التُّرَابِ شَيْئًا فَذَكَرَ نَحْوَهُ وَلَمْ يَذْكُرِ الْمَنَاكِبَ وَالآبَاطَ قَالَ ابْنُ اللَّيْثِ إِلَى مَا فَوْقَ الْمِرْفَقَيْنِ  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ encamped at Ulat al-Jaysh and Aisha was in his company. Her necklace of onyx of Zifar was broken (and fell somewhere). The people were detained to make a search for that necklace until the dawn broke. There was no water with the people. Therefore AbuBakr became angry with her and said: You detained the people and they have no water with them. Thereupon Allah, the Exalted, sent down revelation about it to His Apostle ﷺ granting concession to purify themselves with pure earth. Then the Muslims stood up with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and struck the ground with their hands and then they raised their hands, and did not take any earth (in their hands). Then they wiped with them their faces and hands up to the shoulders, and from their palms up to the armpits. Ibn Yahya added in his version: Ibn Shihab said in his tradition: The people do not take this (tradition) into account. Abu Dawud said: Ibn Ishaq also reported it in a similar way. In this (version) he said on the authority of Ibn 'Abbas. He mentioned the words "two strikes" (i.e. striking the earth twice) as mentioned by Yunus. And Ma'mar also narrated on the authority of al-Zuhri "two strikes". And Malik said: From al-Zuhri from 'Ubaid Allah b. 'Abd Allah from his father on the authority of 'Ammar. Abu Uwais also reported it in a similar way on the authority of al-Zuhri. But Ibn 'Uyainah doubted it, he sometimes said: from his father, and sometimes he said: from Ibn 'Abbas. Ibn 'Uyainah was confused in it and in his hearing from al-Zuhri. No one has mentioned "two strikes" in this tradition except those whose names I have mentioned.  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ عَرَّسَ بِأُولاَتِ الْجَيْشِ وَمَعَهُ عَائِشَةُ فَانْقَطَعَ عِقْدٌ لَهَا مِنْ جَزْعِ ظَفَارِ فَحَبَسَ النَّاسَ ابْتِغَاءُ عِقْدِهَا ذَلِكَ حَتَّى أَضَاءَ الْفَجْرُ وَلَيْسَ مَعَ النَّاسِ مَاءٌ فَتَغَيَّظَ عَلَيْهَا أَبُو بَكْرٍ وَقَالَ حَبَسْتِ النَّاسَ وَلَيْسَ مَعَهُمْ مَاءٌ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى عَلَى رَسُولِهِ ﷺ رُخْصَةَ التَّطَهُّرِ بِالصَّعِيدِ الطَّيِّبِ فَقَامَ الْمُسْلِمُونَ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَضَرَبُوا بِأَيْدِيهِمْ إِلَى الأَرْضِ ثُمَّ رَفَعُوا أَيْدِيَهُمْ وَلَمْ يَقْبِضُوا مِنَ التُّرَابِ شَيْئًا فَمَسَحُوا بِهَا وُجُوهَهُمْ وَأَيْدِيَهُمْ إِلَى الْمَنَاكِبِ وَمِنْ بُطُونِ أَيْدِيهِمْ إِلَى الآبَاطِ زَادَ ابْنُ يَحْيَى فِي حَدِيثِهِ قَالَ ابْنُ شِهَابٍ فِي حَدِيثِهِ وَلاَ يَعْتَبِرُ بِهَذَا النَّاسُ  

While I was sitting between 'Abd Allah and Abu Musa, the latter said: Abu 'Abd al-Rahman, what do you think if a man becomes defiled (because of seminal omission) and does not find water for a month; should he not perform tayammum ? He replied: No, even if he does not find water for a month. Abu Musa then said: How will you do with the Qur'anic version (about tayammum) in the chapter al-Ma'idah which says: "... and you find no water, then go to clean, high ground" (5:6)? 'Abd Allah (b. Mas'ud) then said: If they (the people) are granted concession in this respect, they might perform tayammum with pure earth when water is cold. Abu Musa said: For this (reason) you forbade it ? He said: Yes. Abu Musa then said: Did you not hear what 'Ammar said to 'Umar ? (He said): The Messenger of Allah ﷺ sent me on some errand. I had seminal emission and I did not find water. Therefore, I rolled on the ground just as an animal rolls down. I then came to the Prophet ﷺ and made a mention of that to him. He said: It would have been enough for you to do thus. Then he struck the ground with his hands and shook them off and then stuck the right hand with his left hand and his left hand with his right hand (and wiped) over his hands (up to the wrist) and wiped his face. 'Abd Allah then said to him: Did you not see that 'Umar was not satisfied with the statement of 'Ammar ?  

كُنْتُ جَالِسًا بَيْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ وَأَبِي مُوسَى فَقَالَ أَبُو مُوسَى يَا أَبَا عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ أَرَأَيْتَ لَوْ أَنَّ رَجُلاً أَجْنَبَ فَلَمْ يَجِدِ الْمَاءَ شَهْرًا أَمَا كَانَ يَتَيَمَّمُ فَقَالَ لاَ وَإِنْ لَمْ يَجِدِ الْمَاءَ شَهْرًا فَقَالَ أَبُو مُوسَى فَكَيْفَ تَصْنَعُونَ بِهَذِهِ الآيَةِ الَّتِي فِي سُورَةِ الْمَائِدَةِ { فَلَمْ تَجِدُوا مَاءً فَتَيَمَّمُوا صَعِيدًا طَيِّبًا } فَقَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ لَوْ رُخِّصَ لَهُمْ فِي هَذَا لأَوْشَكُوا إِذَا بَرَدَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمَاءُ أَنْ يَتَيَمَّمُوا بِالصَّعِيدِ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو مُوسَى وَإِنَّمَا كَرِهْتُمْ هَذَا لِهَذَا قَالَ نَعَمْ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو مُوسَى أَلَمْ تَسْمَعْ قَوْلَ عَمَّارٍ لِعُمَرَ بَعَثَنِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِي حَاجَةٍ فَأَجْنَبْتُ فَلَمْ أَجِدِ الْمَاءَ فَتَمَرَّغْتُ فِي الصَّعِيدِ كَمَا تَتَمَرَّغُ الدَّابَّةُ ثُمَّ أَتَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ فَذَكَرْتُ ذَلِكَ لَهُ فَقَالَ إِنَّمَا كَانَ يَكْفِيكَ أَنْ تَصْنَعَ هَكَذَا فَضَرَبَ بِيَدِهِ عَلَى الأَرْضِ فَنَفَضَهَا ثُمَّ ضَرَبَ بِشِمَالِهِ عَلَى يَمِينِهِ وَبِيَمِينِهِ عَلَى شِمَالِهِ عَلَى الْكَفَّيْنِ ثُمَّ مَسَحَ وَجْهَهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ أَفَلَمْ تَرَ عُمَرَ لَمْ يَقْنَعْ بِقَوْلِ عَمَّارٍ  

While I was with 'Umar, a man came to him and said: We live at a place (where water is not found) for a month or two (what should we do, if we are sexually defiled). 'Umar said: So far as I am concerned, I do not pray until I find water. 'Ammar said: Commanded of the faithful, do you not remember when I and you were among the camels (For tending them)? There we became sexually defiled. I rolled down on the ground. We then came to the Prophet ﷺ and I mentioned that to him. He said: It was enough for you to do so. Then he struck the ground with both his hands. He then blew over them and wiped his face and both hands by means of them up to half the arms. 'Umar said: 'Ammar, fear Allah. He said: Commander of the faithful, if you want, I will never narrate it. 'Umar said: Nay, by Allah, we shall turn you from that towards which you turned (i.e. you have your choice).  

إِنَّا نَكُونُ بِالْمَكَانِ الشَّهْرَ وَالشَّهْرَيْنِ فَقَالَ عُمَرُ أَمَّا أَنَا فَلَمْ أَكُنْ أُصَلِّي حَتَّى أَجِدَ الْمَاءَ قَالَ فَقَالَ عَمَّارٌ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَمَا تَذْكُرُ إِذْ كُنْتُ أَنَا وَأَنْتَ فِي الإِبِلِ فَأَصَابَتْنَا جَنَابَةٌ فَأَمَّا أَنَا فَتَمَعَّكْتُ فَأَتَيْنَا النَّبِيَّ ﷺ فَذَكَرْتُ ذَلِكَ لَهُ فَقَالَ إِنَّمَا كَانَ يَكْفِيكَ أَنْ تَقُولَ هَكَذَا وَضَرَبَ بِيَدَيْهِ إِلَى الأَرْضِ ثُمَّ نَفَخَهُمَا ثُمَّ مَسَحَ بِهِمَا وَجْهَهُ وَيَدَيْهِ إِلَى نِصْفِ الذِّرَاعِ فَقَالَ عُمَرُ يَا عَمَّارُ اتَّقِ اللَّهَ فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِنْ شِئْتَ وَاللَّهِ لَمْ أَذْكُرْهُ أَبَدًا فَقَالَ عُمَرُ كَلاَّ وَاللَّهِ لَنُوَلِّيَنَّكَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ مَا تَوَلَّيْتَ  

'Ammar, it would have been enough for you (to do) so. He then stuck only one stroke on the ground with both his hands; he then stuck one with the other; then wiped his face and both arms up to half the forearms and did not reach the elbows. Abu Dawud said: This is also transmitted by Waki' from al-A'mash from Salamah b. Kuhail from 'Abd al-Rahman b. Abza. It is also transmitted through a different chain by Jarir from al-A'mash from Salamah from Sa'id b. 'Abd al-Rahman b. Abza from his father.  

يَا عَمَّارُ إِنَّمَا كَانَ يَكْفِيكَ هَكَذَا ثُمَّ ضَرَبَ بِيَدَيْهِ الأَرْضَ ثُمَّ ضَرَبَ إِحْدَاهُمَا عَلَى الأُخْرَى ثُمَّ مَسَحَ وَجْهَهُ وَالذِّرَاعَيْنِ إِلَى نِصْفِ السَّاعِدَيْنِ وَلَمْ يَبْلُغِ الْمِرْفَقَيْنِ ضَرْبَةً وَاحِدَةً  

This would have been enough for you, and the Prophet ﷺ struck the ground with his hand. He then blew it and wiped with it his face and hands. Being doubtful Salamah said: I do not know (whether he wiped) up to the elbows or the wrists.  

إِنَّمَا كَانَ يَكْفِيكَ وَضَرَبَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ بِيَدِهِ إِلَى الأَرْضِ ثُمَّ نَفَخَ فِيهَا وَمَسَحَ بِهَا وَجْهَهُ وَكَفَّيْهِ شَكَّ سَلَمَةُ وَقَالَ لاَ أَدْرِي فِيهِ إِلَى الْمِرْفَقَيْنِ يَعْنِي أَوْ إِلَى الْكَفَّيْنِ  

He ('Ammar) said: He (the Prophet) then blew it and wiped with it his face and hands up to elbows or up to the forearms. Shu'bah said: Salamah used to narrate (the words) "the hands and the face and the forearms". One day Mansur said to him: Look, what are you saying, because no one except you mentions the (word) "forearms".  

ثُمَّ نَفَخَ فِيهَا وَمَسَحَ بِهَا وَجْهَهُ وَكَفَّيْهِ إِلَى الْمِرْفَقَيْنِ أَوْ إِلَى الذِّرَاعَيْنِ قَالَ شُعْبَةُ كَانَ سَلَمَةُ يَقُولُ الْكَفَّيْنِ وَالْوَجْهَ وَالذِّرَاعَيْنِ فَقَالَ لَهُ مَنْصُورٌ ذَاتَ يَوْمٍ انْظُرْ مَا تَقُولُ فَإِنَّهُ لاَ يَذْكُرُ الذِّرَاعَيْنِ غَيْرُكَ  

It would have been enough for you to strike the ground with you hands and then wipe them your face and your hands (up to the wrists). He then narrated the rest of the tradition. Abu Dawud said: This is also transmitted by Shu'bah from Husain on the authority of Abu Malik. He said: I heard 'Ammar saying so him his speech, except that in this version he added the words: "He blew." And Husain b. Muhammad narrated from Shu'bah on the authority of al-Hakam and in this version added the words:"He (the Prophet) struck the earth with his plans and blew."  

يَعْنِي النَّبِيَّ ﷺ إِنَّمَا كَانَ يَكْفِيكَ أَنْ تَضْرِبَ بِيَدَيْكَ إِلَى الأَرْضِ فَتَمْسَحَ بِهِمَا وَجْهَكَ وَكَفَّيْكَ وَسَاقَ الْحَدِيثَ  

I asked the Prophet ﷺ about tayammum. He commanded me to strike only one stroke (i.e. the strike the ground) for (wiping) the face and the hands.  

سَأَلْتُ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ عَنِ التَّيَمُّمِ فَأَمَرَنِي ضَرْبَةً وَاحِدَةً لِلْوَجْهِ وَالْكَفَّيْنِ  

Qatadah was asked about tayammum during a journey. He said: A traditionist reported to me from al-Sha'bi from 'Abd al-Rahman b. Abza on the authority of 'Ammar b. Yasir who reported the Messenger of Allah ﷺ as saying: (He should wipe) up to the elbows.  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ إِلَى الْمِرْفَقَيْنِ