A man from Banu Amir (he is Abu al-Muhallab Khurmi) says: I was a disbeliever, but Allah guided me towards Islam. There was no water in our area. My wife was with me, due to which sometimes I would become junub (in a state of major ritual impurity). The importance of finding out about this issue settled in my heart. Someone told me about Hazrat Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him). I set out for Hajj and when I entered the mosque at Mina, I recognized Hazrat Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him). He was elderly, sweating, and wearing a woolen garment. I went and stood beside him; he was praying. I greeted him with salam, but he did not reply. After completing his prayer thoroughly, he replied to my salam. I asked him, "Are you Abu Dharr?" He said, "My family thinks so." Then I told him my story. He said, "Do you recognize Abu Dharr?" I said, "Yes!" He said, "The climate of Madinah did not suit me," or he said, "I developed a stomach illness. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) instructed me to drink the milk of some camels and goats." Hazrat Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "I used to live far from water (sources). My family was with me. When I needed to perform ghusl, I would pray without attaining purity. Once, when I presented myself before the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), it was midday and he was sitting in the shade of the mosque with some of the noble companions (may Allah be pleased with them). I said, 'O Messenger of Allah! I am ruined.' The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) asked, 'What happened?' I said, 'O Prophet! I was far from water (sources), my wife was with me, and when I needed to perform ghusl, I would pray without performing ghusl.' The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered water to be brought for me. A black slave girl brought water for me in a large bowl. The water in the bowl was moving because the bowl was not full. I performed ghusl behind a camel and then presented myself before the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, 'Pure earth is also a purifier as long as water is not available, even if you do not find water for ten years. However, when water is found, then pour it over your body.'"