1- If one is certain that there is no water, he can perform tayamum without searching for water.

2- If one suspects the existence of water he should look for it in his house and at his friends' within the range of help (At which one's friends could be expected to respond to his cry for help despite being busy in talking or working. This range was estimated with 120-160 meters, or walking for 20 minutes).

If he does not find water he can perform tayamum and pray.

3- If one is certain that water exists he should search for it within the range of proximity [Which equals 6000 footsteps, or walking for 45 minutes].

If water is beyond this range he can make tayamum and pray.

When sure that one can obtain water by waiting until the end of the prayer's time, then it is better to delay the prayer. Searching should be performed by looking to the right, left, front and back. (pa: 70)

If there is a barrier like a mountain one should climb it and look around.

If there is a friend with him he should ask him for water.

Therefore, one who lacks water should search for it before performing tayamum unless one is certain that it does not exist, for Allah (G. B. H) says: {And you find no water, then take pure earth for yourselves}.

You cannot say "find no water" until you search for it.

Conditions for searching for water within the help and proximity ranges

1- One must guarantee the safety of a worthy soul [Worthy means whose killing is unlawful].

Every human being is a worthy soul except a person who is condemned to death by SharFa [For rejecting performing one of Islam's pillars, or committing a capital crime, such as a convicted married adulterer or a murderer] or a non-Muslim at war with the Muslims.

A non-Muslim who is under the protection of Muslims is also a worthy soul.

Watch dogs, sheep and other useful animals, are worthy souls, too.

2- One must not risk the loss of money.

3- One must not risk the loss of contact with the group he is travelling with.

4- One must not risk the expiration of the prayer's time.

5- One must not search for water until the particular prayer's time has come because he is searching in order to confirm the condition that necessitates tayamum (i. e. lack of water) hence it is not valid at a time when tayamum is not permissible.

One who lacks water must ask for a donation of water by saying "Give me water for wudu" but is not allowed to ask for money to buy water to preserve his dignity.

Also, one must ask to borrow the container rather than asking for its price.

Water must be purchased with its equivalent price as long as one does not need this money to pay back a comprehensive debt [A debt that involves the whole of ones money.

A debt which involves part of ones money does not

prevent from buying water] , or to buy food for himself (or for a worthy animal) during his travel.

Water, when it exists, must exceed the drinking water needed for oneself and a worthy animal, even if this amount may be needed in the future.