Firstly: Defining dry ablution
Linguistically: It is seeking out something.
Technically: It is worshipping Allah, exalted, through seeking out purifying dust or soil [217] Sa`id is the word used for this in Islamic law. Al-Fayyumi said: “Sa`id in the language of the Arabs is used to mean different things: the dust upon the face of the earth, the face of the earth itself, and a pathway.” Al-Misbah al-Munir (339/1). Al-Shafi`i said: “The term sa`id is not used except for dust that powders in the air [if made unstable through wind or by striking it].” Al-Umm (66/1). Abu Ishaq al-Zajjaj said: “Sa`id is not itself dust, rather it is the face of the earth, dusted or otherwise.” Ma`ani al-Qur'an wa I`rabih (56/2). to wipe over the face and two hands with.