Is it required of Us to perform Wudhu' and Ghusl when We are in the Desert?

Question :

The questioner says: "We are Bedouins living in the desert and water is fifty kilometers away from us; we transport the water to our families on vehicles and we water our camels and our sheep with it. So are we obliged to make Wudhu' and Ghusl due to Janabah, when some houses have ten people living in them and some even more, or can we make Tayammum?"

Answer:

Allah has ordained Wudhu' and Ghusl when water is present and He has ordained Tayammum when water is not available, or it may not be used due to illness or the like; Allah, the Most High says:
O you who believe! When you intend to offer As-Salah (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 the ankles. If you are in a state of Al- Janabah (sexual impurity), 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.

Since the questioner has mentioned that they bring water for the camels and sheep to drink, then they are able to find water, and so they are required to make Wudhu' and Ghusl. The fact that they are in the desert and that the water is fifty kilometers away is not an excuse to allow them to perform Tayammum, so long as they can transport the water on their vehicles for the camels and sheep. And Allah knows best. And may peace and blessings be upon our Prophet, Muhammad and upon his family and Companions.

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