المعنى الاصطلاحي

"I‘wāz" is unavailability of water for purification after attempting to find it; actually unavailable or considered to be so under the Shariah.

الشرح المختصر

In order for "tayammum" (dry ablution) to permissibly replace "wudoo", one of the two conditions must be met: 1. Actual, full, or partial lack of water that can be used for ritual purification. In such a case, one is required to look for water in the surrounding area. If water is found, but is insufficient, one is not required to use it. 2. Inability to use water even though it is available. This is the meaning of "deemed to be so under the Shariah".

التعريف اللغوي المختصر

"I‘wāz": unavailability, insufficiency, scarcity, need of something that cannot be obtained.